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Tag: Lassa fever

  • Lassa fever: Osun to engage fumigators to eliminate rats, rodents

    Lassa fever: Osun to engage fumigators to eliminate rats, rodents

    The Osun state government says it will engage consultants to go round the state to fumigate and get rid of rats and rodents that may cause health hazards including Lassa fever. Mr Oladepo Atanda, the State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, disclosed this during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Osdogbo.
    He said animals in the forests were not the real causes of Lassa fever but rodents and rats that usually came close and enter homes due to human dirtiness and filthiness. Atanda said the state government, through his ministry, two weeks ago, had set up and registered some fumigation consultants capable of doing a thorough job of fumigation around the state.

    “It is not the bush animals that cause Lassa fever really; they are the rodents that persist around the towns and cities, basically the rats that are generated by our dirtiness and our filthiness. “This is not a forestry issue, what we just initiate about two weeks ago is to set up some consultants or registered some fumigation consultants that we know are capable of doing thorough fumigation. “They are to go round the cities and fumigate most of the popular places like markets; hotels; eateries and public places around after getting our license. The commissioner said within few weeks, the fumigation services would be commissioned and they would start the work thereafter. He said they would go round the state to fumigate, especially all the areas prone to rodents, rats and other creature that could cause health hazard.

  • Lassa Fever: NYSC sensitises corps members on preventive measures in Zamfara

    Lassa Fever: NYSC sensitises corps members on preventive measures in Zamfara

    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), has organised a one-day sensitisation for corps members in Zamfara on measures to prevent Lassa fever disease.

    According to the State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Namallam Taura, the workshop was aimed at educating the corps members on the causes and course of the disease.

    “The Lassa fever is hitting more states and we have been directed by the NYSC National Headquarters to sensitise corps members on preventive measures.

    “Following the directives, we made it mandatory to all serving corps members to attend the sensitisation lecture considering its importance.

    “Various resource persons from the Federal Medical Center, Gusau and Yarima Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau have been engaged by the scheme to deliver various lectures,’’ he said.

    He urged corps members to put into practice what they had learnt from the lecture.

    “You should always keep your environment clean and make sure you observe personal hygiene effectively,’’ Taura told the corps members.

    One of the Speakers, Dr Musa Yakubu of Community Medicine and Public Health Department at FMC, Gusau urged corps members to be proactive against the disease.

    Yakubu urged corps members to contact the hospital on time in case of any suspected symptoms.

    “You should contact the hospital quickly for early treatment.

    “The chances of survival is 90 per cent with early treatment. But, if the treatment starts late, the chances of survival is less than 50 per cent,’’ he said.

    The state Epidemiologist, Dr Rabi Usman, said that the state government had embarked on sensitisation to enlighten the people on symptoms and proactive measures.

    Usman urged corps members to improve their hygiene in order to avoid the risk of being infected. (NAN)

  • Lassa Fever: 3 persons discharged after testing negative in Adamawa

    Lassa Fever: 3 persons discharged after testing negative in Adamawa

    Three of the four people admitted over suspected Lassa fever in Adamawa have been discharged after testing negative.

    The Adamawa Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Abdullahi Isa, made this known Tuesday while giving update on the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

    Isa, however, said that a woman brought from Numan Local Government who tested positive had died, while those that came into contact with the woman would remain
    under observation for 21 days.

    The commissioner said that the state government had already activated its emergency operation centre for management of response activities on daily basis.

    He added that other measures taken to contain the outbreak included public enlightenment on prevention and control measures and re-orientation of health facility staff
    on infection prevention and control practices and case management.

    He explained that “the public should keep their homes and surroundings clean to avoid contact with rats and other rodents.

    “They should always keep their foodstuff in rodent-proof containers and avoid drying of food items in open space.

    “They should set traps for rats or keep cats to chase away rodents.

    “They should observe universal precautions whenever they came in contact with any patient, regardless of infection status.

    “The Ministry of Health is assuring the public of controlling this outbreak in the shortest possible time and needs the cooperation of all.

    “Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family and close associates,” the commissioner said. (NAN)

  • Atiku drops political teachings, wades into health issues as Coronavirus, Lassa fever threaten

    Atiku drops political teachings, wades into health issues as Coronavirus, Lassa fever threaten

    The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last Presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, today dropped his political teachings and speedily wades into health discourse as Coronavirus, Lassa fever threaten human race. Affixing his unalloyed comment into millions of statements by health experts, Atiku advised Nigerian government on preventive measures.

    He said; “In 2014, Nigeria confronted and quashed the dreaded Ebola disease. The swift battle was won by careful screening and rapid isolation. “Let us apply the same level of “world-class epidemiological detective work” in the case of Lassa Fever and the looming Coronavirus. “Awareness and education are also the most potent tools for combating Lassa Fever and Coronavirus. Please share these materials with all family and friends. –AA”.

    Recall that about 80 persons have reportedly dead of the virus as 2744 are purportedly infected worldwide. In the case of Lassa Fever, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Saturday reported that about 195 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed and that 29 deaths have been reported in 11 states as of January 24. Using percentage to elaborate the above statement, NCDC said that 89% are from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi. About Coronavirus Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people get infected with coronaviruses at one point in their lives, but symptoms are typically mild to moderate.

    In cows and pigs they may cause diarrhea, while in chickens it can cause an upper respiratory disease.

  • Lassa Fever : 4 suspected cases recorded in Adamawa

    Lassa Fever : 4 suspected cases recorded in Adamawa

    Adamawa Government on Monday confirmed four suspected cases of Lassa Fever in the state.

    Dr Bwalki Dilli, the state Director, Public Health, confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Yola.

    Dilli however said the four cases are still under diagnosis.

    “The patients were admitted at the state treatment centre located at Federal Medical Centre, Yola,  their  samples  had been taken and referred to the laboratory in Abuja, for diagnosis.

    “When the final  result is out we would inform the general public about the situation,” Dilli said.

    He said the state government had taken preventive  measures against the disease.(NAN)

  • Osun Govt confirms 2 cases of Lassa fever

    Osun Govt confirms 2 cases of Lassa fever

    The Osun Government on Monday confirmed two cases of Lassa fever in the state.

    Dr Rafiu Isamotu, the state Commissioner for Health, made this known on Monday in Osogbo, at a news conference also attended by Dr Olasiji Olamiju, the Special Adviser to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola on Public Health.

    Isamotu said the two affected victims were currently on admission at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife and its Annex in Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa.

    The commissioner said the state government was doing everything possible to curtail the two confirmed cases so as not to spread around.

    He said the state government had also sent drugs to the victims for their treatment, adding that other samples proved negative.

    Isamotu said that two isolation centres had been set up in the state for those who might be tested positive to the virus.

    He appealed to residents of the state not to be panic, adding that the state government was on top of the situation.

    Isamotu said the state government had put its health officials across the state on alert, while necessary measures were in place to prevent the spread of the virus.

    Also, Olamiju, said that there was no truth in the report that one of the victims had ran away from the hospital.

    Olamiju said the state government does not have such information at its disposal.

    He said the state government had embarked on sensitisation programme on the outbreak of the virus in all the local government areas in the state.

    Olamiju appealed to residents of the state to keep clean environment and also ensure that they keep their homes from rats.

    While appealing to people of the state not to panic, Olamiju noted that the virus was common during the dry season.

    He said due to the high temperature, rat, which was the major cause of Lassa fever always look for a cooler environment to hide.

  • Lassa fever: FG commends Kano for quick response

    Lassa fever: FG commends Kano for quick response

    The Federal Government has commended Kano State Government for taking proactive measures to curb Lassa fever in the state.

    “We can see that the level of the state preparedness to contain the situation so quickly is highly commendable. 

    “We are therefore commending the government for taking proactive measures.

    “So also the quick release of funds by the state government assisted tremendously towards achieving the good results,” the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Enahire, said this during a condolencevisit Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on Sunday in Kano.‎

    Enahire however charged health workers to always observe ethical standard while dealing with such kind of diseases so as to avoid further complication and spread of the deadly disease.

    According to the statement signed by Mr Anwar Awal, the governor’s spokesman, the minister commisserated with the government, people and family of dwo Doctors who died when they got in contact with the first casualty, whom they conducted a surgical operation for.‎

    “The state and other stakeholders are doing their best in this respect. We commend the state Ministry of Health for taking the situation very seriously,” it said.

    ‎The minister, who expressed his shock over the death, prayed for the repose of their souls and the families the courage to bear the lost.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Binta Bala, disclosed that the ministry took proactive measures immediately after sending the sample to the National Referral Centre in Abuja. 

    “When we received the information of the outcome of the result, we swung into action immediately by mobilising the State Isolation Centre at ‘Yar Gaya, prepositioning of PPEs, Drugs, Ambulances and other measures.

    “Other measures include activation of Rapid Response Teams, Conduct of State Emergency preparedness and Response Committee Meeting, Contact Tracing and Contact follow-ups were instituted promptly,” he added.‎

    He further stressed that Daily Coordination Meetings at State Emergency Operation Center (EOC), Strengthening and intensification of Surveillance at all levels of healthcare delivery and communities, sensitisation of health workers and production of IEC materials as well as production and placement of radio jingles, were some other measures adopted to contain the disease.

    Ganduje assured the health minister that the state would do everything possible to make sure that all strategies are employed to curbing the problem. 

    “As we are facing the situation squarely, I am assuring you that the state will continue to join hands with all the stakeholders for successful fight against Lassa fever. That is why we are not relenting in our efforts,” the governor said. (NAN)

  • LASSA FEVER:ONE DEAD,THREE OTHERS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN BORNO.

    LASSA FEVER:ONE DEAD,THREE OTHERS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN BORNO.


    A 24 year old man has lost his life, following the outbreak of LASSA fever in BORNO state while three others suspected to be  infected with the virus are  currently undergoing intensive investigation in rapid response medical facility in  the state capital.

    
    Commissioner of Health, Dr Salisu Kwaya-Bura, disclosed this  at a press conference, Thursday evening in Maiduguri,where he hinted that since the first case of Lassa fever was recorded through a German woman in Lassa community of Askira Uba Local Government Area of the state in 1969, which gave the name of the disease, this is the second outbreak to be recorded in Borno state.
    
    He said the deceased travelled to Hawul and returned  to Maiduguri, before being admitted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital ( UMTH ) , where the symptoms manifested with sample taken from him testing positive.

    He said of the three cases under investigation, one is a health worker with two other individuals, who are presently being managed in rapid response facility created by the state against the disease.

    Dr Kwayabura said:” While it is my responsibility to inform the public about the outbreak, I call for calm, as the state has put necessary measures to halt the further outbreak. ”

    
    On the fate of the internally displaced persons ( IDPs ) living in the camps over the outbreak, the commissioner explained that the IDPs have no need to worry, as the state has already prepared for any emergency.
    He announced that meetings will be going on henceforth, from 4pm every day for update.

  • Kano Govt dismisses report of 292 Lassa fever cases

    Kano Govt dismisses report of 292 Lassa fever cases

    Kano State Government has faulted report by a section of the media which claims that the state has recorded 292 cases of Lassa Fever.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar and made available to newsmen in Kano, said only five cases of the disease were confirmed.

    “The cases currently are five, with three deaths and the remaining two are receiving treatment. They are also responding to medications.

    “So the issue of 292 ‘cases’ is unintentionally erroneous.”

    He explained that the 292 are only on Contact Tracing and not confirmed cases.

    Anwar added that three stages had to be followed before a case of the fever is confirmed.

    “I therefore repeat that the 292 are only on Contact Tracing.”

    He assured that the state government was determined to ensure effective management of the disease.

    People should be very vigilant and not panic, as the state is doing everything possible to tame the situation, he added. (NAN )

  • BREAKING: Pregnant woman, doctors die of Lassa fever after surgery in Kano

    BREAKING: Pregnant woman, doctors die of Lassa fever after surgery in Kano

    Kano State Government has confirmed four cases of Lassa fever, with three persons dead and one quarantined.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ibrahim Tsanyawa, made the confirmation on Wednesday at an emergency press conference in Kano.

    Tsanyawa said the ministry, on Tuesday, received information from its Health Educator in Tarauni Local Government, about the suspected cases of the disease at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

    He explained that blood samples of the victims sent to Abuja for investigation turned out positive.

    “A pregnant woman, who had a caesarian session at AKTH in December, was said to be a carrier of the disease and had died.

    “Subsequent to that, one of the doctors and a health worker that carried out the CS on the woman also died, while another doctor is under care at the Isolation Centre at Yar gaya area of Kano.

    “The Consultant, who took charge of the pregnant woman when she was moved to the Intensive Care Unit of AKTH has also died of the same symptoms,” he said.

    In order to control the situation, the Commissioner said, the ministry has reactivated the state isolation centre as well as the state Rapid Response Team, in addition to the repositioning of drugs and consumables to prevent the outbreak of the disease.

    Tsanyawa further revealed that there would be daily coordination of meetings at the State’s Emergency Operation Centre, to keep all stakeholders updated about the situation.

    The commissioner called on residents and health workers in the state not to panic, as the state has taken control of the situation.

    He urged the media to cooperate with the ministry in order to obtain and disseminate factual information on the situation, to prevent spreading rumours.