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Lassa Fever ravages 64 LGs

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Amidst growing anxiety, the Federal Government on Tuesday, confirmed that the outbreak of Lassa Fever is currently ravaging 64 local government areas in the country.

According to the FG, there are 212 suspected cases spread across 17 states in the country.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Prof. Issac Adewole, in Abuja at the Emergency National Council on Health meeting with state Commissioners of Health and other stake- holders in the health sector.

The minister, who said the out-break was a national embarrassment, debunked insinuations that the disease was a gimmick to get money from the government.

He said: “There is a high level of denial and a conspiracy of silence in some of our states. I think people take delight in saying we have no case and to me that is not the issue.

Read also: Lassa fever hits Abuja as Benue begs against rat delicacy

“In fact, if you are able to pick a suspicious cases, to me that is the issue because that goes to tell us that the surveillance system is at work.

“We also want to alert all health professionals in the country that they should report any case. I have described the outbreak as a national embarrassment. We can manage embarrassment, but when we allow another outbreak to occur in August this year, it will become a national shame to all of us. One of the things we will do to prevent us from dragging this nation into shame is to stamp out Lassa Fever.”

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