Rats/Rodents Breeding: A Precursor to the Spread of Lassa Fever Disease and Control Strategies Among Farmers in Abakaliki Agricultural Zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract This research investigated farmers’ awareness of Lassa fever transmitted by the multi-mammate rat, the agricultural practices promoting the breeding/growth of rats and rodents, the causative organism of Lassa fever, and the prevention practices for Lassa fever control. A total of 450 farmers were selected for the study. Questionnaires and oral discussions were used to reach the farmers. The data obtained were analyzed using percentages, mean, and standard deviation. It was observed that the farmers are fully aware of Lassa fever and have knowledge of symptoms of Lassa fever, such as weakness of the body (87.5%), sore throat (90.4%), and pains all over the body (94.4%). They know the transmission and treatment, such as by eating rats (92.8%), eating food contaminated by rats and rodents, causing the Lassa fever menace. The farmers promote rat farming by eating bush meat (91.5%), storing grains in living rooms (M=98.8%), soaking cassava tubers in an open place (91.1%), and poor storage of food (94.6%), among other practices. To prevent the transmission of Lassa fever, the following strategies were adopted: avoid eating rats (M=2.65), cleaning the environment (M=2.55), proper refuse/waste disposal(M=2.67), avoid contact with infected persons (M=2.85), and frequent hand washing (M=2.78).