Masoyi Lusa
Bauchi state government said, it has recorded about four cases of Lassa fever so far following the deaths of 40 victims in some parts of the country.
This is just as it added that one other victim has been confirmed positive with one person who came from Kanam LGA of Plateau state is now in danger list.
The permanent secretary, ministry of health Dr. Saidu Aliyu Gital made declaration Sunday while briefing journalists, said, the affected LGA’s in the state are Tafawa-balewa, Dass, Toro, Alkaleri and Bauchi.
Gital added that Bauchi state first recorded six case of Lassa fever in 2012 with four confirm positive then while five were reportedly suspected died.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the existence of the state rapid response Team for all epidemic prone diseases including Lassa fever from the ( SMOH) in collaboration with primary health care development agency (SPHCDA) with technical support from ATBU as well as WHO is a testimony of the response against the disease so far.
Gital noted among the response of government is the prompt and routine collection of blood samples for onward referral to National Lassa fever Treatment centre at Irrua in Edo state.
Others are mass media campaign to create awareness and sensitization, training of clinician’s public and public and private health facilities with particular attentionto the affected LGA’s.
In the same vein, government have involve religious and traditional leaders as part of measures to fight Lassa Fever while the federal ministry of health has supported the state government with proactive equipment and Ribavirin tablets to curb the spread of the disease.
The Permanent Secretary maintain that, intensify effort are in place for surveillance committed to traced all cases of Lassa fever whether suspected or confirm.
“As you are aware that Lassa fever has been reported in some states of the federation including Bauchi towards the end of 2015 based on media reports with federal government putting th cases 86 with 40 deaths which is not up previous years where only few died” Gital concluded.
