‘States taking measures to avoid spread’— NGF speaks on Lassa fever outbreak

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) says states are taking precautionary measures to tackle the outbreak of Lassa fever, a deadly virus.

Three persons, comprising two doctors and a patient believed to be the index case, died of the disease at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, causing panic across the state.

A total of 292 persons are currently on watch list over the disease.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the forum’s meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday, Kayode Fayemi, NGF chairman, said states are taking precautionary measures to address the issue.

He said states are collaborating with the federal ministry of health and the National Centre for Disease Control to put an end to the escalation of the disease beyond Kano and Ondo states, where it has been recorded.

“On the epidemic that has happened in one or two states – Ondo state in the southwest and Kano in the north – this is the period when we have an upsurge particularly in Lassa fever and I believe all our states are taking precautionary measures to address this,” he said.

“We are working in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control to ensure this does not spread any further than it has at the moment.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Lassa fever is endemic in West African countries.

A person can contract the disease when they come in contact with food or water contaminated by urine or faeces of a species of rat known to be the host.

In 2019, several persons died of Lassa Fever and over 275 cases were recorded in at least 19 states.