Lassa Fever: Death Toll Rises To 24 As WHO Confirms More Deaths In Taraba

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that Lassa fever has claimed 21 lives across the country.

The National Coordinator Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who made this known on Tuesday, said the deaths were recorded from 77 confirmed cases.

Ihekweazu spoke at the opening of the National Executive Council meeting of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja.

He said of the 77 confirmed cases, 10 affected health workers.

The national coordinator quoted Dr Sylvanus Okogbeni, Chief Medical Director, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State, as confirming that two of the health workers affected were discharged on Monday.



He described the situation as sober, adding that it had resulted in serious emotional trauma, fear, anxiety and sometimes anger among stakeholders.

Ihekweazu said it was high time stakeholders addressed the challenges of hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.

 Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday confirmed that three persons died of Lassa fever in Taraba State.

A WHO Surveillance Officer, Dr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop on Lassa fever in Jalingo, the state capital. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Health.

Represented by Dr. Zeto Philip, the officer said 12 cases had been reported, three confirmed dead and three positive cases placed under close monitoring.

Bello, who said six local governments –Bali, Ibi, Gassol, Gashaka, Jalingo and Ardo-Kola – had been placed under red alert, explained that two deaths were recorded in Jalingo and one in Ardo-Kola, putting the state at 25 per cent infection rate.

The WHO representative explained that the survey was conducted between January 1 and January 28, with 367 contacts identified across the country.