Four Dead From Lassa Fever In Plateau State

The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kuden Kamshak, has confirmed that four people have died from Lassa fever in the state.

According to the Commissioner, 22 suspected cases were taken for samples and thirteen were later confirmed to have the virus out which of four did not survive. He added that the remaining patients were being treated at the Bingham Teaching Hospital as well as the Jos University Teaching Hospital. He said the primary contacts are also being monitored by the surveillance team.

The outbreak is currently prevalent in Jos North, Jos South, Shendam, Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas of the state. With the resurgence of the disease, the Federal Government has reactivated emergency response centres in the country.

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, announced this on Tuesday.

The NCDC boss added that recent epidemiological data showed that the trend usually occurs during the dry season – between January and April.

“As at 13 January 2019, a total of 60 confirmed cases have been reported in eight states,” he stated.