Sunday, 4 September 2016

Four States In Nigeria Experience New Cases Of Lassa Fever

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole


The Federal Government has confirmed five fresh cases of Lassa fever in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Rivers states.

The government said that two cases were reported from Plateau State, one from Rivers, and one each from Bauchi and Gombe states.

A statement issued on Friday by the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a parastatal of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the case reported from Gombe died on August 22 2016, while “all other cases are alive.”

He said, “Five confirmed cases of Lassa Fever were reported from four states of Nigeria within the week August 24 to September 2 (Friday). Two cases were reported from Plateau State, one from Rivers, and one each from Bauchi and Gombe. The case reported from Gombe died on 22nd August 2016, all other patients are alive.

“The public health response commenced immediately in all the affected states under the leadership of the respective state ministries of health. Resources were immediately mobilised from the NCDC and its partner, the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, to support the investigation and management of cases in the affected states.

According to Punch, 59 contacts have been identified in Delta and Anambra states and were being monitored for symptoms of Lassa fever.

Ihekweazu had denied that there were three cases of Lassa fever in Anambra State, describing the report as false.






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