Following the recent re-emergence of Lassa Fever and other vector-borne diseases in Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Phosguard Fumigant Ltd is partnering with the government in a scheme called, “Kill rats, make money.’’
Under the project, rodents multiplying ubiquitously across the mega-city state are to be exterminated from residential places and markets using hi-tech chemicals and equipment that will make their decomposing bodies non-infectious.
Mr Oluwasegun Benson, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that the bounty would help to de-rat the state.
Vector-borne diseases are infections transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod species, such as rats, mosquitoes, ticks, triatomine bugs, sandflies and blackflies.
“As part of efforts to de-rat the state and prevent epidemic from Lassa Fever and other diseases, a bounty has been placed on rats in the state.
“We will buy off at least 20 rats for a yet-to-be determined amount; in Lagos now it is operation kill rats and make money.
“A rat has 28 days gestation period and in the past years, there has not been any solid structure on ground to curb them from infecting humans with diseases.
“We are already approaching an epidemic level which can lead to a pandemic level with Lassa Fever and we must be proactive and launch a more coordinated approach to control them.
“It is war against rodents and pests in Lagos State,’’ he said.
According to him, the company is also collaborating with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to either incinerate or bury the rats.
No comments:
Post a Comment