Cases Of Lassa Fever Confirmed In Nasarawa State

The Nasarawa State Government has disclosed that two cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed since the beginning of the dry season in the state.

Dr Janet Angbazo,the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, made this known at a news conference in Lafia weekend.

Angbazo stated that the two infected persons were receiving treatment in medical facilities at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

She said that three other contacts of the victims were currently under medical examinations in the state.

“The team from the state has already carried out contact tracing of the infected persons and suspected cases," she said.
“The samples of their contacts are also taken and we are waiting for the results.”

She pointed out that the symptoms of Lassa fever usually manifest one to three weeks after the patient comes in contact with the virus.

The permanent secretary urged members of the public with symptoms such as slight fever, general malaise, weakness and headache to avail themselves for Lassa fever testing.

She also said that the state had commenced massive sensitisation in collaboration with traditional, community and religious leaders to reach out to the public.

She charged the public to always maintain high environmental hygiene in order to keep rodents – the vector of lassa fever – away from food.