Connect with us

Metro

LASSA FEVER: Control centre announces end to emergency phase after recording 129 deaths, 578 cases

Published

on

LASSA FEVER: 50 years after first recorded case, Nigeria to host first Int’l conference

The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Friday announced the end of the emergency phase of Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

Ihekweazu who made the announcement after a joint epidemiological review by the NCDC, Who Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria and other partners, said since the beginning of the outbreak, 578 confirmed cases including 129 deaths have been recorded from 21 states as at May 26.

On managing emergency sitiuation in the country, he highlighted measures which include “early deployment of One-Health Rapid Response Teams, to affected states and support for surge staff deployment.

”Establishment of new treatment centres in Kebbi, Benue and Kaduna and strengthening of existing treatment centres.

“Re-positioning of medical and treatment supplies in all 21 states with confirmed cases in 2018.

Read also: 18-year-old in police custody for sexually molesting minor in Niger

“Improved collaboration with agricultural and environmental health stakeholders and introduction of rodent control strategies among others,” he said.

He added that a national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated in January this year to coordinate response activities.

This, according to him, was in response to an increase in Lassa fever cases at the beginning of the year.

”The group’s focus is to continue monitoring cases, as well as improve disease prevention, surveillance, diagnosis and response activities across all levels in Nigeria.”

The NCDC boss added, ”Given that Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria, it is likely that the country will continue to record cases of Lassa fever.

”However, we have several research strategies to improve our knowledge of the disease.

”We are also working with states and partners to establish more long-term strategies, such as improved risk communication, infection prevention and control, regular environmental sanitation.

“Others are; enhanced capacity of health workers and improvement of treatment centres, among others,” he said.

By Babatunde Alao…

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now