Nigerians have been advised to take all necessary precautions in stopping Lassa fever across the country and maintain proper hygiene and environmental sanitation.

The National president of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Prince Peter Nwagbale gave the advise while addressing marketers and traders as part of its activities for the 2016 national executive council meeting in Kwara state.

He said "Lassa fever is an infectious and dangerous disease caused by virus and its outbreak calls for world attention adding that it is spread by rats, particularly the ones with breasts".

He said that the symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, chest pain, bloody diarrhea, bleeding from the nose, mouth, ears, eyes and swelling of face, eyes and the neck among others.

He explained that the disease could be prevented by proper covering of food items and prevention of rat infestation everywhere in their various surrounding. He also told them to ensure all foods are properly cooked and they should dispose any food partly eaten by rat stressing that the consumption of rats should stop and they should block all rats hideout adding that they should store foodstuffs in rodent proof container.

Prince Peter also revealed that the objective of the association was to ensure zero tolerance as he said the association will soon embark on its house to house inspection and sensitization of the general public about the Lassa fever. He therefore called for the cooperation of the general public on the exercise. The association also paid a courtesy visit to various place among which included, office of the head of service, office of the local government commission, ministry of environment.