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Tag: Lassa Fever

  • Lassa fever kills four in Kogi

    Lassa fever kills four in Kogi

    The Kogi State Ministry of Health has confirmed nine cases of Lassa fever with four deaths recorded since the outbreak of the deadly disease in the state about a month ago.

    Dr Austin Ojotule, the State Epidemiologist, disclosed this in a statement in Lokoja on Sunday.

    According to Ojotule, the state’s statistics on Lassa fever outbreak update as of Feb. 8, 2020, have a total of 31 suspected cases.

    He said out of the 31 suspected cases of Lassa fever, one was probable, 17 negative, nine confirmed, while five had pending laboratory results.

    He said that four deaths had been recorded among the nine confirmed cases with Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 44.4 percent; the percentage of deaths from the confirmed cases.

    The official said that the nine confirmed cases were from five local government areas of Ibaji with two, Okene, two, Idah, three, Okehi, one, and Igalamela Local Government Area, one.

    He, however, noted that contact tracing and follow-up were ongoing, adding that a total of 177 contacts had been line-listed.

    Lassa fever broke out in the state about a month ago.

  • Lassa Fever: Nigeria records six new deaths as confirmed cases increase

    Nigeria has registered an upsurge in the number of Lassa Fever cases since the beginning of the year, with 365 positive cases and 47 deaths reported from 23 states across the country.

    According to week five situation report on the disease released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday, the number of states reporting at least a case of the disease rose to 23 from 19 in the previous week.

    The 23 states are Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Adamawa, Cross River, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Abia, Taraba, Plateau, FCT, Gombe, Enugu, Kebbi and Anambra.

    Three states, Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi, remain the states with the most affected cases.

    However, there was a reduction in the number of new deaths (six) in the reporting week as compared to the previous week where 19 deaths were reported.

    INCREASING CASES
    In the data released by NCDC, new confirmed cases have increased from 95 cases in week four to 104 cases.

    These were reported from 15 states (Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Delta, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, FCT, Gombe, Enugu, Kebbi and Anambra).

    Also, one new health care worker was affected in Delta State. Five health workers had been reported among the dead from the disease in the previous weeks from Kano (3), Taraba (1) and Borno (1).

    NCDC said, cumulatively from the beginning of the year, Nigeria has reported 47 deaths from the outbreak, with a case fatality rate of 12.9 per cent.

    Also, the number of suspected cases has significantly increased when compared to that reported for the same period in 2019.

    “In total for 2020, 23 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 74 Local Government Areas. The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years and the male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.2,” it stated

  • China’s Coronavirus not as dangerous as Nigeria’s Lassa fever – NCDC DG

    Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has said despite global concerns about the outbreak of Coronavirus, the disease is not as deadly as the media has painted it.

    He said Lassa fever could be more deadly than Coronavirus.

    Ihekweazu stated this when he addressed members of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services in Abuja.

    The disease was discovered in China but has spread to about 23 other countries across the globe.

    The NCDC chief said there was no need for travel restriction to and from China due to the fear about the virus.

    He told the lawmakers that the nation was faced with a more deadly disease in Lassa fever than the Coronavirus.

    According to him, Coronavirus is a global disease with far less effect than Lassa fever.

    Ihekweazu said about 364 cases of Lassa fever had been identified in 23 states with 47 deaths.

    The NCDC noted that there might be more of such cases as a result of environmental issues in the country.

    The director general said about one per cent of those affected by Coronavirus had died, adding that the victims were mostly aged persons or those with health-related issues.

    He said human-to-human transmission of the virus had been reported in only three countries outside China.

    Ihekweazu explained that there had been a coordinated international response to the disease, stressing that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned against imposing travel and business restrictions against China due to the outbreak of the disease.

    On Lassa fever, the director general said there were no vaccines to control the disease.

    He said the centre was working with some development partners to develop a vaccine for Lassa fever, adding that the first stage of its tests will begin soon.

  • Kaduna Govt confirms 2nd case of Lassa fever

    The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has confirmed a fresh case of Lassa fever in a 34-year old man in mml Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
    The Commissioner of Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, confirmed the case in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna.
    Baloni disclosed that the state had so far recorded 23 cases, adding that clinical analysis indicated that 15 of the cases proved negative while one new case confirmed positive of the disease.
    She said that: “However; six test samples are also pending. The new confirmed case is a 34-year old man from Kajuru Local Government Area and he is being managed at the isolation center (IDCC).
    “This brings the number of confirmed cases to two in Kaduna State, as the first victim died on Sunday and has since been buried”.
    The commissioner revealed that 40 other persons who had contact with the suspected cases were being monitored and none had so far shown any symptoms.
    Baloni added that contact listing and follow-ups as well as active case search were ongoing.
    She advised the people to maintain high level of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation as well as ensure that symptoms of fever and malaria are referred laboratory analysis before treatment.
    Baloni said that the state government equally adopted proactive measures in compliance with the advisory on the coronavirus issued by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.
    She noted that the measure was sequel to the Federal Government’s declaration on Global Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
    According to her, the minister cautioned Nigerians to limit non-essential travels to China, while those arriving from such countries with no visible symptoms were to be self-isolated for a two week period on arrival in the country.
    “In addition, arriving travelers also have a duty to report any incidents of passengers falling sick during flights.
    “Symptoms of coronavirus disease include sneezing, coughing and difficulties in breathing. People should report to the nearest health facility if any of these symptoms are noticed immediately,” she said.
    Baloni admonished the people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, cover the mouth and nose properly with handkerchief and tissue paper when sneezing or cough into the elbow where handkerchief is not available.
    “Other protective measures are for the people to avoid self-medication and report to the nearest health facility when experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms.
    “Health workers are to observe standard infection prevention and control measures while attending to patients, they should also endeavor to take their travel history,” Baloni said.
  • ‘Journalism is no crime, FCT Minister, Police should retract stance on arrested journalists’

    ‘Journalism is no crime, FCT Minister, Police should retract stance on arrested journalists’

    Five staff of TheNigerian News Group working in one of the platforms, Television Nigerian, Pricilla Ajeshola, Jacob Orji, Abayomi Adedoyin, Peggy Shande and David Gold Enemingin were on Friday arrested, detained and paraded by the FCT Police Command on Saturday on the instruction of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory as persons attempting to cause panic in the nation’s capital.

    These innocent citizens were illegally arrested around the Wuse District Hospital, where they were gathering materials for a special report on Lassa fever and Coronavirus.

    We made every attempt to persuade the police who saw reasons for amicable resolution of this with the affected authorities.

    Unfortunately, the Honourable Minister refused to yield to every plea as his staff insisted on parading these patriotic citizens like common criminals.

    This repressive attack on the media was ostensibly an attempt to suppress facts as to the FCT administration’s handling of the outbreak of Lassa fever and Coronavirus that have put the world and citizens all over the country on alert.

    The decision of those behind this humiliating episode to go this route of repression and maligning of the journalists is most unfortunate since TheNigerian News is not in the practice of undermining the country, our strict consideration of national interest is a cardinal principle for our organisation and staff all over the world. A visit to our websites and social media handle will all present this fact if these overzealous agents ever cared to check the facts before embarking on this shameless acts against our staff.

    If the authorities had issues with the mode the journalists went about gathering materials for their report, the logical thing to do was to correct them as opposed to taking the repressive measures that now strongly suggest that residents of Abuja are being lied to in the territory’s status in relation to the Lassa fever outbreak or the even the deadly CoronaVirus.

    Contrary to what the Police or any other person wants to say, TheNigerian News in its three years of existence has only promoted the image and reputation of our country and never involved itself in spreading falsehood.
    We demand that the police immediately retract its stand on our arrested staff because they are journalists who were going about their duty to sensitize the general public about the Lassa fever epidemic across the country.

    As a law abiding organization populated by responsible citizens, we will consult widely and take all necessary actions in line with our company policy and vision statement. We urge our readers and viewers to remain calm and not be dissuaded by this unwarranted provocation aimed at making us drop our pro-Nigeria stance.

    The launch of our radio as earlier announced will still take place on the set date.

    Please kindly use your platform to disseminate this information.

    Signed
    Lawrence Audu
    Media Officer,
    TheNigerian News Group

  • Fear grips UNIZIK as student becomes first Lassa fever victim

    Fear grips UNIZIK as student becomes first Lassa fever victim

    A student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University(UNIZIK) has been confirmed as the first Lassa fever patient in Anambra State.

    The Emergency Response team, which has been observing situation in the state, has moved the victim to Abakaliki, Ebonyi state after necessary sanitization.

    The Lassa fever case from Unizik was confirmed at the Chukwukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH)where she was transferred from the School’s Medical Centre.

    The Hospital management said Friday it collected specimen of the victim and sent to Irruah, Edo state with the result coming out positive

    However, the Acting CMAC of COOUTH, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Ezebialu, who signed the circular, said there was no cause for alarm

     

  • No case of Lassa Fever in Ekiti – Commissioner

    The Ekiti government on Thursday dismissed speculations in some quarters that the state might have recorded cases of Lassa Fever.

    The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who addressed newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, however, said the state was ready for any outbreak.

    She gave an assurance that all primary health facilities, specialist and general hospitals as well as Teaching Hospitals had been sensitised and adequately prepared for an outbreak.

    ” We are doing a lot of sensitisation and education for food handlers, store keepers and all residents on radio, television and all our health facilities across the state,” she said.

    She appealed to residents to make personal hygiene a lifestyle, adding that they should engage in consistent and regular hand washing, cover their food stuff properly and refrain from bush burning.

    ” Cover your food, especially garri very well, ensure that the production process is done hygienically and clean your environment to avoid breeding of rats, ” the commissioner said.

    She also said that the Oba Adejuyigbe General Hospital had been dedicated as a quarantine center for any confirmed case of Lassa Fever in Ekiti.

    Earlier, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Jimlas Ogunsakin, had disclosed that the incubation period for Lassa fever was between two and 21 days, advising that any suspect be screened adequately.

    Ogunsakin noted that the symptoms of Lassa Fever include high temperature, headache, vomiting and itching of the body.

  • JUST IN: Lassa Fever kills three in Rivers

    The Rivers State Government has confirmed three persons dead in an outbreak Lassa Fever in the State.

    The Acting Permanent Secretary ,Ministry of Health, Dr Chinwe Atata, confirmed this on Wednesday during a press briefing to give an update on the status of the disease in the State.

    She told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the ministry had earlier begun proactive effort o contain the outbreak.

    Atata said “we have received preliminary confirmation that three of the samples tested positive to Lassa virus, the Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre had earlier commenced proactive effort for containment of the outbreak.

    ”All hands are on deck for facility decontamination, line-listing, presumptive prophylaxis and surveillance to ensure public health safety and security of people.”

    Atata, who is also Director Planning, Research and Statistics assured that the state had procured large quantities of anti-viral agents, adding that isolated centres had also been setup across teaching hospitals in the State.

    In her words: ”the state has procured large quantities of antiviral agents and isolation centres have been designated and are being setup across the teaching hospitals in state in case of any eventuality, the state government is doing everything to contain the Lassa virus.”

    She called on residents of Rivers to continue all necessary preventive measures and enjoined all to promote good community hygiene to prevent rodents from entering homes.

  • How Lassa fever killed my brother- Lawan tells court

    How Lassa fever killed my brother- Lawan tells court

    Former-chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee that investigated the fuel subsidy regime in 2012, Farouk Lawan, told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, Abuja, on Tuesday, that his first defence witness’ brother in his ongoing bribery case was murdered by Lassa fever in Kano on Sunday.

    Lawan gave this as the reason for his failure to open his defence in the six-year-old bribery case instituted against him since 2012.

    The Kano-born politician, who was present in court, is being indicted for allegedly accepting $500,000 as a bribe for the removal of billionaire businessman, Mr Femi Otedola’s company’s name, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, from the list of the firms indicted by the committee for alleged fraud in the subsidy scheme.

    Justice Angela Otaluka in her ruling on October 17, 2019, dismissed the no-case submission Lawan filed after the prosecution closed its case with five witnesses, including Otedola.

    The judge ruled that contrary to Lawan’s contention in his no-case submission, the prosecution made a prima facie case against him which he had to defend.

    The court directed him to open his defence on November 11, 2019.

    For undisclosed reasons, the trial was adjourned till Tuesday.

    But Mr Benson Igbanoi, who stood in for Lawan’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said despite being ready for the trial, they were unable to proceed to open the defendant’s case because his “sole witness” who was meant to testify at the hearing could not attend the proceedings because he was bereaved.

    Igbanoi said they were informed that the witness’ brother was killed by Lassa fever on Sunday.

    He said, “We are very much ready to open our defence today (Tuesday).

    “However, late Sunday night, we received news that the sole witness of the defendant lost a brother to the dreaded Lassa fever that hit Kano.

    “My lord in the circumstance, regrettably, we are unable go on to open our defence today.

    “We are therefore constrained to plead with my noble lord to grant us a short adjournment because our sole witness is so devastated.”

    Igbanoi said his team had written a letter to the court and a copy of which was served on the prosecution stating the defence team’s “predicament” and suggesting an adjournment of the case till February 11.

    The lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), confirmed that he received the letter dated January 27, 2020 (Monday) from Ozekhome’s law firm.

    He said he had to “reluctantly concede to another adjournment since the reason for it involved the loss of a human being.”

    But he urged the court to direct the defendant “to keep to February 11 so that he does not come that day and say he is asking for another adjournment of the case.”

    Justice Otaluka granted the request and adjourned the case till February 11.

     

  • Lassa Fever: 41 people killed, 258 cases confirmed since 2020 – FG

    At least 41 people have died of Lassa fever in parts of the country since the beginning of 2020, the Federal Government has confirmed.

    The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the ministry’s secretariat in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Giving an update on the raging outbreak of the disease, he revealed that at least two health professionals were among the 41 deaths recorded.

    Ehanire added that there were at least 258 confirmed cases recorded across 19 states in the country.

    He urged Nigerians in various parts of the country to practice good hygiene and protect their foods from rat contamination.

    The minister also spoke about the outbreak of coronavirus reported in China, Germany, the United States, as well as two African countries.

    He noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had issued a health advisory in the outbreak of the disease, saying that the risk of importation was high even though no single suspected case has been reported in Nigeria.

    Ehanire was, however, worried about the presence of suspected cases in the Ivory Coast and Kenya, considering that coronavirus was being transmitted by humans who infected with the disease.

    As part of efforts against the spread of the disease, he said the Federal Government has raised surveillance at all entry points into the country.

    The minister was specific about the preventive measures being taken at the five international airports in Nigeria – in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as Lagos, Enugu, Rivers, and Kano States.