A non-govermental organisation , Phosguard Fumigant Ltd, in partnership with the Lagos State Government has introduced a bounty, “Kill rats, make money” as a means to try and prevent the rate of Lassa fever and other vector borne diseases in Lagos state.

Mr Oluwasegun Benson, the Chief Executive Officer of the company told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that this bounty and exercise would help “de-rat” the state. Rodents around the state are to be exterminated from residential areas as well as markets by the use of high tech chemicals and equipment that would make their decomposing bodies harmless and non-infectious. Vector borne diseases are infections transmited by the bite of infected species such as rats, mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, blackflies and triatomine bugs.

“As part of efforts to de-rat the state and prevent epidemic from Lassa fever and other diseases, a bounty has been placed on rats in the state. We will buy off at least 20 rats for a yet to be announced amount; in Lagos now it is Operation kill rats and make money.”

“It is war against rodents and pests in Lagos state. We are already approaching an epidemic level which can lead to a pandemic level with Lassa fever and we must be proactive and launch a more coordinated approach to control them,” said Mr Benson.

According to him, the company will be partnering with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to either incinerate or bury the rats. Mr Oluwasegun Benson said the project, which would be launched in October would be the first of its kind in the country. He also commended the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for approving the Vector Control programme which would start with the markets and supporting with a Toyota Hilux van