Lassa fever in Oyo, Rivers, 8 others, death toll now 40, says Health Minister

Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, on Friday, confirmed that so far, 40 people have died from the outbreak of Lassa fever while 86 cases had been reported.

He also said the disease had spread to 10 states, including Oyo and Rivers, since the last six weeks when the first case was reported in November.

According to the minister: “In the last six weeks, Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever outbreak which so far has affected 10 states in the country.

“The states affected include Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo.

“The total number so far reported is 86 and 40 deaths with the mortality rate of 45 per cent.
“Our laboratories have confirmed 22 cases so far, indicative of a new round trip of Lassa fever outbreak,” he said.

In response to this reported outbreak, the minister disclosed a number of measures taken by the Federal Ministry of Health to curtail further spread and reduce mortality among those affected.
Source:Tribune