The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Friday confirmed five cases
of Lassa Fever in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Rivers States from August
24 to September 2.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, made this known in a statement in Lagos.
Ihekweazu said two cases were reported from Plateau State and one each from Rivers, Bauchi and Gombe States.
Ihekweazu said in the statement that the case reported from Gombe died on August 22, while other cases are still alive.
He
said public health response commenced immediately in all the affected
states under the leadership of the respective state’s Ministries of
Health.
According to him, 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
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 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.”
The chief executive
officer said the NCDC remained committed to supporting the state
governments to prevent the spread of Lassa Fever in Nigeria.
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