Five cases of Lassa Fever have been confirmed in Bauchi,
Gombe, Plateau and Rivers States from Aug. 24 to Sept. 2, the Nigeria Centre
for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Friday. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Chief Executive
Officer, NCDC, in a statement in Lagos, said two cases were reported from
Plateau and one each from Rivers, Bauchi and Gombe.
Ihekweazu said in the statement that the case reported from
Gombe died on Aug. 22, while other cases are still alive. He said that 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
NCDC and its partner, the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training
Programme (NFELTP), to support the investigation and management of cases in the
affected states.
"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," he said.
The chief executive officer said that the NCDC remained
committed to supporting the state governments to prevent the spread of Lassa
fever in Nigeria.
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