L
LequteMan
Guest
The death toll from the Lassa virus outbreak in Nigeria has hit 40 with the number of reported cases rising to 86, Punch reports.
The mortality rate has also risen to 43.2%, Health Minister, Isaac Adewole said. Plateau and Gombe states have also been hit by the virus.
“We have deployed rapid response teams from the ministry to all the affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases, as well as tracing contacts. Clinicians and relevant health workers had been sensitised and mobilised in areas of patient management and care in the affected states, as well as intensifying awareness creation on the signs and symptoms, including preventive measures such as general hygiene.”
Adewole said Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa fever as all reported cases were confirmed in the nation’s laboratories.
“However, due to the non-specific nature of Lassa fever symptoms and varied presentations, clinical diagnosis is often difficult and delayed, especially in the early course of the disease outbreak,” he added.
He, therefore, advised the public to “avoid contact with rodents/rats as well as food/objects contaminated with rats’ secretion and excretions.”
He urged the public to “also avoid drying food in the open and along the roadside.”
The mortality rate has also risen to 43.2%, Health Minister, Isaac Adewole said. Plateau and Gombe states have also been hit by the virus.
“We have deployed rapid response teams from the ministry to all the affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases, as well as tracing contacts. Clinicians and relevant health workers had been sensitised and mobilised in areas of patient management and care in the affected states, as well as intensifying awareness creation on the signs and symptoms, including preventive measures such as general hygiene.”
Adewole said Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa fever as all reported cases were confirmed in the nation’s laboratories.
“However, due to the non-specific nature of Lassa fever symptoms and varied presentations, clinical diagnosis is often difficult and delayed, especially in the early course of the disease outbreak,” he added.
He, therefore, advised the public to “avoid contact with rodents/rats as well as food/objects contaminated with rats’ secretion and excretions.”
He urged the public to “also avoid drying food in the open and along the roadside.”
