Meanwhile, following reported cases of Lassa fever in some parts of the country, and the rising incidence in the state, the Rivers State Government says it will soon fumigate densely populated settlements in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
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Only seven people died from 19 confirmed cases of the disease out of more than 11,000 deaths in west Africa.
Professor Adewole also directed all health facilities in the country to emphasize routine infection prevention and control measures and ensure all patients are treated free.
Minister of Health, Prof.
Lassa fever is transmitted by infected rodents especially rats.
President of the association, Dr Muhammad Askira, made the call at a news conference yesterday in Abuja on the recent outbreak of Lassa fever.
“The Ogun Ministry of Health has also fortified the Local Government Area Surveillance System to checkmate the disease through public health education”, he said. “We are not sure it is Lassa fever, but the manner in which the young man died and other symptoms indicated that he might have contracted Lassa fever”, a source explained.
Professor Isaac Adewole, the minister of health has blamed the current Lassa fever outbreak on the failure of the past administration led by Goodluck Jonathan, to implement a roadmap on health drawn up in 2012.
While advising residents to be mindful of the implications of the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, the Speaker said, “We should maintain clean and hygienic environment all the time and also ensure that our meals are not only well-cooked but are also kept away from rats since it has been discovered that rats are the major carriers of the disease”.
During the massive Ebola outbreak in 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) described Nigeria as a “spectacular success” story, praising Africa’s biggest economy for preventing an “apocalyptic urban outbreak” with strong leadership and a rapid response.
Residents were also advised to avoid contact with Lassa fever patients’ secretions and were wear protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles, when caring for patients.
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“Late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood”. We will use theatre in A&E as isolation ward. We don’t need a big medical centre to manage disease of public health importance.
