Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control has said that 29 people have been killed from Lassa fever outbreak across 11 states.
Over 190 cases have also been confirmed by officials across 11 states as efforts continue to contain the spread.
Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and in worst-case scenarios, haemorrhagic bleeding.
Lassa fever belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and in worst-case scenarios, haemorrhagic bleeding.
The name comes from the town of Lassa in northern Nigeria where it was first identified in 1969.
The virus is spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rats’ urine or faeces or after coming into direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
It can be prevented by enhanced hygiene and avoidance of all contact with rats.
The Director-General, Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said in a statement on statement 89 per cent of the confirmed cases were from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi states.
He said the centre would continue to support states in strengthening their preparedness and response capacity.
Nigerian health officials have now deployed Rapid Response Teams to support five of the affected states.
More than 100 people were killed in 2016 in one of the nation’s worst outbreaks of the disease, affecting 14 states, including Lagos and the capital Abuja.
Source: Africafeeds.com
