FG Confirms Five Cases of Lassa in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Rivers States

Paul Obi in Abuja

The federal government friday confirmed five cases of Lassa fever from four states in the country between week 24th August and 2nd September.

According to officials, 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 cases are alive.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said public health response commenced immediately in all the affected states under leadership of the respective state’s Ministries of Health.

It was indicated that following the new cases, resources were immediately mobilised from the centre and its partner, the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), to support the investigation and management of cases in the affected states.

NCDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said: “We commend the early detection and reporting of the most recent cases, as it significantly improves the likelihood of survival for the cases and also reduces the risk of further transmission.

“We also urge all States to report cases immediately for Lassa fever while improving on the timeliness of their reporting generally”

“As a result of increasing number of cases, the NCDC is issuing an advisory to all States reminding them of the steps they have to take to prepare and respond to cases of Lassa fever and other haemorragic fevers, as well as the resources that they can access for this.”

He explained that the NCDC remain committed to supporting the States to prevent the spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria.

The public were further charged to make inquiry on Lassa Fever in Nigeria, using the NCDC via Facebook Messenger on m.me/NCDCgov.