By Chioma Umeha
The
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed five more cases of
Lassa fever across four states in the last 11 days.
Two cases were reported from Plateau State, one
from Rivers, and one each from Bauchi and Gombe, NCDC said in a statement
Friday night.
Four of the infected people are alive, but the
fifth case, from Gombe, died on August 22.
“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,” said NCDC
chief executive officer Chikwe Ihekweazu.
“We also urge all States to report cases
immediately for Lassa fever while improving on the timeliness of their
reporting generally.”
Ministries of health in the respective states, the
NCDC and the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme are
investigating and managing those infected.
An NCDC advisory recommends steps states have to
take to prepare for and respond to all cases of Lassa fever and other
haemorrhagic fevers.
NCDC has opened communication lines where
suspected cases can be reported, including its twitter handle @NCDCgov,
Facebook Messenger m.me/NCDCgov and a phone line 080097000010.
