Major markets in Tema, especially Community One and Two markets, as well as some gutters are known to be heavily infected with big rats, a situation the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate (TMHD) has described as a potential catalyst to an outbreak of the disease.

The Ghana Health Service issued a health alert on the outbreak of Lassa Fever after over 30 persons were killed by the disease in Nigeria.  According to the World Health Organization, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of two to days duration which is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. 

Dr John Yabani, Tema Metropolitan Health Director, told the Ghana News Agency that his outfit had contacted the TMA Public Health Unit to immediately de-rat all markets, gutters and refuse dumping sites.

Dr Yabani explained that the rats in the market urinate and defecate on surfaces and items in the market as they move in search of food, adding that a contaminated rat urine could be consumed unknowingly.

He further added that the Directorate as part of its preventive measures, had alerted the Port Health Unit at the Tema Harbour to ensure that all ships and terminals infected with rats are de-ratted. He advised the public to always wash their canned and bottled beverages thoroughly before consuming to prevent the consumption of rodents urine or faeces.

The Health Director also encouraged households to use bleach to clean household items and surfaces and immediately report cases of any fever at the hospital. On the TMHD’s preparedness to handle any case, he said all health facilities in the Metropolis had received guidelines on how to manage issues adding that infectious protective centres and holding rooms to keep a suspected Lassa fever cases at the hospitals for specimen to be taken and forwarded to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, were also available.

Dr Yabani indicated that the Ebola Committees that were formed during the outbreak of the disease has been reactivated to see to the education of health workers and the public on the viral sickness.