An ecologist extracts a sample of blood from a Mastomys Natalensis rodent in the village of Jormu in southeastern Sierra Leone February 8, 2011. Lassa fever, named after the Nigerian town where it was first identified in 1969, is among a U.S. list of "category A" diseases -- deemed to have the potential for major public health impact -- alongside anthrax and botulism. The disease is carried by the Mastomys Natalensis rodent, found across sub-Saharan Africa and often eaten as a source of protein. It infects an estimated 300,000-500,000 people each year, and kills about 5,000. Picture taken February 8, 2011. To match Reuters-Feature BIOTERROR-AFRICA/ REUTERS/Simon Akam (SIERRA LEONE - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ANIMALS) - GM1E72F07HC01
March 4, 2024
The Adamawa Government has confirmed one positive out of the five suspected cases of Lassa fever recorded in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Felix Tangwami, said this at a news conference in Yola on Monday.
He said the index cases were admitted on Feb. 22 at Modibbo Adama University Teaching University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola.
He added that samples of the contact persons were collected on Feb. 23, and sent for test at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Abuja, on Feb. 24.
“The good news is that four results came back negative, while one was positive.
“The two patients from NYSC Camp Damare are still receiving treatment in MAUTH, Yola, and their prognosis is not too bad.
“We have also asked that the sample of the index patient be retaken and investigated for further verification.
“I call on the public to remain calm, follow health workers’ instructions, and advices whenever they come around for sensitisations.
The commissioner appreciated the contact persons for co-operating with health workers to have their samples taken and isolated, saying they
should be emulated to save the larger population.
Tangwami further called on the public to avoid close contacts, over crowded places, and excessive exposure to sun, while maintaining good
personal hygiene always.(NAN)
