5 hours Ago By healthwise
Some residents of Gwarinpa in the Federal Capital Territory have raised concerns over a potential outbreak of Lassa fever, Ebola, and other infectious diseases, urging the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to intervene urgently. The residents, under the Team Seven Neighbourhood Association, attributed their fears to a worsening environmental hazard behind 64 Crescent, off 6th Avenue, in the Federal Housing Authority Estate. In a petition addressed to the Director-General of the NCDC, and copied to relevant agencies, including the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the AMAC Health Department, the residents called for swift action to avert a public health crisis.
The group’s chairman, Uche Okoli, who signed the petition, said the area had been plagued by a persistent foul odour for months, which has worsened in recent weeks. “We are seeing a troubling pattern of health complaints, coughing, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms consistent with poor air quality and possible exposure to biological hazards. “Some of these complaints are now coming from residents, who don’t even live directly near the suspected contamination source,” he said.
According to the letter, the area has also become a breeding ground for disease vectors, with residents reporting an increase in rodents, flies, and tsetse flies. Of particular concern is the presence of Mastomys natalensis , the multimammate rats linked to the spread of Lassa fever, as well as houseflies and blowflies, known carriers of communicable diseases. The residents also complained of a surge in respiratory illnesses, with some cases resulting in hospitalisation.
While fatalities remain unconfirmed, they warned of a disturbing trend of coughing, breathing issues, and other symptoms associated with exposure to biohazards. This situation is deteriorating rapidly, and we fear that without prompt expert intervention, we may face a serious public health crisis with implications beyond our immediate community,” Okoli added. They called on the NCDC to dispatch a public health team to assess the area, conduct environmental sampling, and provide medical screening for potentially exposed individuals.
The residents also urged the agency to issue safety guidelines for the community and initiate immediate clean-up and containment efforts. “Our residents deserve to live in a safe and healthy environment. We are not just raising the alarm; we are calling for responsible action and offering our full cooperation to government agencies.
This is about protecting lives and preventing tragedy before it happens,” Okoli said. Team Seven Neighbourhood Association represents a large section of the Gwarinpa community, which includes civil servants, professionals, and young families. Tags Abuja disease outbreak Ebola outbreak exposure to biohazards FCT residents Gwarimpa Lassa fever NCDC prevent disease outbreak Respiratory illnesses.
