The federal government yesterday confirmed fresh cases of
Lassa fever in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Rivers states.
A statement issued last night by the National Coordinator
and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, a
parastatal under the Ministry of Health, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the case
reported from Gombe died on August 22, 2016.
The government said that two cases were reported from
Plateau State, one from Rivers, and one each from Bauchi and Gombe States.
Ihekweazu said “Five confirmed cases of Lassa Feverwere
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 cases 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.”
Ihekweazu added that as a result of increasing number of
cases, the NCDC was therefore 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 haemorrhagic fevers, as well as the resources that they can access
for this.
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