The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) has issued a strong warning to food handlers, garri processors and street food vendors across the state, announcing plans to impose sanctions on operators who fail to meet approved hygiene and waste management standards.
The directive, aimed at reducing the risk of Lassa fever transmission, was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the agency’s Press Secretary, Aliyu Amode.
Speaking through the statement, KWEPA General Manager, Jide Aina, expressed concern over poor environmental practices that could expose residents to the viral disease, noting that Lassa fever is commonly spread through contact with infected rodents or food contaminated by rodent urine and droppings.
Aina stressed that food handlers play a crucial role in protecting public health and must take responsibility for ensuring safe processing, storage and sales.
He instructed garri processing centres and other food production facilities to store both raw materials and finished products in rodent-proof containers, while maintaining strict cleanliness of equipment and workspaces.
Street food vendors were also cautioned against exposing food items on bare floors, roadsides or open surfaces.
Instead, they were advised to properly cover meals, practise good personal hygiene, wash hands regularly with soap and clean water, and dispose of refuse appropriately.
The agency further urged operators to keep their surroundings clean, use safe water for food preparation and handle packaging materials responsibly to prevent environmental contamination.
Aina revealed that routine inspections and enforcement exercises would be intensified statewide, warning that violators would face penalties in line with existing environmental health regulations.
“Good hygiene and proper waste management are not optional. They are vital to safeguarding lives,” he said, adding that collective effort is required to significantly reduce Lassa fever risks in the state.
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Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has dismissed recent social media claims alleging Lassa fever deaths at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in the state.
According to the Ministry of Health, investigations carried out by the state’s Rapid Response Team found no evidence of infection or transmission among corps members or camp officials.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Onifade, also clarified that the corps member referenced online died from a pre-existing medical condition at a facility outside the camp, with no laboratory confirmation linking the death to Lassa fever.
Authorities continue to urge residents to remain calm while adhering strictly to hygiene guidelines to prevent disease outbreaks.