Felix Mensah Annan-La addressing the media
THE METROPOLITAN Chief Executive (MCE) of Tema in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Felix Mensah Annan-La has disclosed that steps are being taken by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to fumigate most parts of the metropolis in the wake of the Lassa Fever disease in the country.
According to him, this was to exterminate rodents which are the carriers of the virus and minimize any possibility of Lassa fever in the metropolis.
Already, Ghana Health Service (GHS) had confirmed the first case of Lasa Fever in the country at the Tema General Hospital.
The victim of Ghana’s first case of Lassa fever was identified as a 26-year old man from Kintampo North District. Lassa Fever is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine, saliva, faeces and blood of infected rodents.
Speaking in an interview with the DAILY GUIDE during a clean-up exercise held in the metropolis ahead of the 61st Independence Day celebration, the MCE has disclosed that the TMA, as part of measures to keep the Metropolis Lassa fever-free, has exterminated about 80 per cent of rats in the community one market.
He advised residents of Tema to also take steps to fumigate their various homes and environment to complement the efforts of TMA.
Addressing the traders and residents in the various communities, the MCE expressed worry about the apathy of some of the residents towards the clean-up exercise and entreated them to have a change of mind for their own safety.
The exercise which was led by the Mayor included Assembly Members, traders, security agencies and Zoomlion Ghana.
Choked drains along the principal streets of Tema, market centres, schools and hospitals were disilted.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema.