Lassa fever: Health minister asks Nigerians not to panic, confirms 35 dead

Prof. Isaac Adewole 

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has asked Nigerians not to panic as a result of the reported cases of Lassa fever.

Adewole said government has put up adequate measures for its containment.

Nigeria is currently experiencing an outbreak of Lassa fever, which has affected seven states of the federation.

These are Bauchi, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Nasarawa, Niger and Rivers.

As of January 5, 2016, a total of 76 suspected cases have been reported.

Thirty-five persons have died from the reported cases in the last six weeks in the seven states.

In response to the current Lassa fever outbreak, the Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to coordinate the response and provide support to the affected states to fight and prevent the spread of the outbreak, as well as establishing case management centres in tertiary institutions in the states.

Government has also trained and sensitized clinicians, lab scientist and other health workers on viral hemorrhagic fevers and emergency medicine, as well provided specific drugs and injection for its treatment to the states’ Ministries of Health and in addition case management drugs, Personal Protective Equipment and Information, Education and Communication materials have been supplied to the affected states.

Adewole therefore appealed to members of the public to be calm and watch out for the following symptoms: Weakness, Headaches, Slight fever, Sore throat, Back pain, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Rashes, Cough, Stomach pain, Rashes, Tremors and Restlessness.

Once such symptoms are noticed, affected individuals should report immediately to the nearest health facility, the Minister said.

Prof. Adewole urged the public to prevent the spread of Lassa fever by taking the following precautions

• Avoid spreading of foods along the road.
• Keep food in tightly sealed containers.
• Cover all food and water properly.
• Set few traps in and around the house to reduce rat populations
• Isolate infected patients from contact with unprotected persons until the disease has run its course.
• Wearing protective clothing such as masks, gloves, gowns and goggles when caring for patients with Lassa fever.
• Avoid contact with Lassa fever patients secretions.
• If you have a bad infestation and they are in the walls, leave a few exit points so they can get out and not die inside the house and after they are all gone, seal up the holes.

Adewole assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is making efforts to halt further spread of this epidemic, a statement by Boade Akinola, the Director of Press of the Federal Ministry of Health, said.

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