Reports that 7,243 rats have been killed in eight markets in Lagos State simultaneously testify to the extent of the rat-infestation problem facing the state and the increased efforts that will be needed to overcome it.

Inspired by the Lagos State government and thanks to the “De-Rat Market” programme of the Lagos chapter of the Environmental Health Officers’ Association of Nigeria, the state’s thriving markets have come under increased rodent-control scrutiny due to the outbreak of Lassa fever and its rapid spread across the country.

The association has laudably taken upon itself the task of eliminating rats in one market per Local Government Area (LGA) every day. Onigbongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun, Idanwo, Ojuwoye, Mile 12, and Alaba Rago were the markets where nearly 8,000 rats were killed.

Rats are primarily responsible for the spread of Lassa fever; their bodily fluids contaminate grains and other foodstuffs, thereby infecting humans. Comprehensively eliminating them from all areas of human activity like homes, markets and other places is obviously a major plank in any viable anti-Lassa fever strategy.

he Lagos State Government has reacted to the Lassa emergency with a speed born of experience. The state’s health officials have drawn upon institutions and processes first utilised in its widely-commended response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in July 2014. Isolation centres have been set up; information leaflets are being distributed across the state; anti-viral drugs have been acquired and dedicated ambulances are on stand-by. Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) in all the LGAs in the state are also facilitating early-detection efforts.

However, the fact that so many rats were found in markets where mandatory sanitation exercises are ostensibly carried out on a weekly basis is an indication that more rigorous exercises may be required in the next few months. Periodic rodent-control measures were not an integral part of such clean-ups, especially given the natural attraction markets have for rats and other vermin.

If rat-infestation is so prevalent in the state’s markets, there must be some misgivings about the condition of its many high-density neighbourhoods, where the sheer mass of inhabitants is likely to cause similar problems. There is also the challenge inherent in inspecting the thousands of foodstuff-carrying vehicles that come into the state on a daily basis to ensure that they are rat-free.

In addressing the rat-infestation problem, the state government is building upon the praiseworthy example set by the Lagos Environmental Health Officers’ Association and increasing its rodent-control efforts in all parts of the state. In addition to private homes, public facilities such as schools, halls, malls, bus stops and similar places must be subject to intensive de-ratting.

In doing this, however, there should be clearly-worded information on the safest ways to eliminate rats. In particular, the proper use of poisons, traps and rat-disposal methods must be an essential part of the ongoing anti-Lassa information campaign.

Nigeria’s other states would do well to learn from the Lagos example. The EVD episode has shown that there can be no alternative to making comprehensive preparations to locate, track, isolate and cure outbreaks of highly-infectious diseases. Those states with large cities must step up their urban sanitation and public enlightenment campaigns and must ensure that their medical facilities are equipped to treat infected patients. States with large farming communities must enhance their agricultural extension services in order to reduce the plague of rats in agrarian areas.

Ultimately, Nigeria as a country must improve its capacity to combat all kinds of vermin. The persistent inability to do this has made the war against diseases like malaria, cholera and typhoid difficult to win. Even while the country struggles with these familiar foes, the mosquito-spread zika virus is beginning to spread across the world. Nigeria must prepare itself.