The Minister of Health, Dr. Isaac Adewole said ten (10) states were affected by the virus but it is under control. He also added that 22 out of 86 suspected cases have been confirmed to be lassa fever.
The virus was discovered in 1969 and named after the Nigerian town, Lassa. The symptoms are similar to that of ebola which includes headache, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding from all orifices. It is majorly contacted through foods which have been infected by rodents like rats and also person-to-person contact through bodily fluids.
The minister stated seven of the affected states are in the northern part of the country namely; Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Plateau and Gombe states. While the other three are in the south - Rivers, Edo and Oyo states.
Thirty-five people have been reportedly killed by the virus after first case of the fever was reported in Bauchi in mid-november, 2015 and other cases reported in Kano and other states.
Thirty-five people have been reportedly killed by the virus after first case of the fever was reported in Bauchi in mid-november, 2015 and other cases reported in Kano and other states.
The general public have now been advised to keep food items in areas which cannot be easily assessible by rats and keep proper hygiene with clean environment. The Federal government has also deployed teams to the ten Nigerian states to distribute the 'Ribavirin Antiviral' drug used for lassa treatment.
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