Red Cross mobilises 80,000 volunteers for Lassa fever, Covid 19

The Lagos state branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, says it has mobilised over 80, 000 volunteers in the state for social mobilisation against the spread of Lassa fever and the Covid-19.

Branch Chairman, Mrs. Adebola Kolawale, made the disclosure at a press briefing organised by the society in Lagos and supported by the society’s national headquarters, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and the Federal Ministry of Health.

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According to her, the spread of the latest outbreak of Lassa fever is quite alarming compared to previous years, adding that to help prevent the spread, the Red Cross volunteers would visit schools, markets and religious institutions to sensitise Lagos residents on precautionary measures to adopt.

“Social mobilisation will commence in earnest; our volunteers will even go from house to house to sensitise the citizens of Lagos.

“Our volunteers are all over the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas within the state and will continue to hold sensitisation sessions,” she said.

The chairman further said that the strategies adopted included community clean ups and vector control activities, door to door health education and epidemic control activities.

Speaking on the Covid-19 virus, Kolawole said volunteers trained in epidemic control by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent has already been placed on alert to help manage the situation should it spread to Nigeria.

She urged Nigerians to embrace the preventive measures recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health, including the washing of hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, regular use of hand sanitizers, covering of nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing.

Others include avoiding close contact with sick people and not touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.