The Government of Taraba State has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
The Government of Taraba State has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
“One person died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have already been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.” – Taraba Comm. of Health
“One person died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have already been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.” – Taraba Comm. of Health
The state Commissioner of Health, Innocent Vakkai, confirmed the outbreak to journalists on Friday.
He said, “One person died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have already been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.”
Mr. Vakkai urged the public not to panic as the state government had responded swiftly to the outbreak.
Giving insight into how the fever spreads, the Commissioner said, “People usually get infected with the Lassa Virus after exposure to infected rodents, while person to person transmission occurs through direct contact with the sick person.”
According to him, “Other precautionary measures include putting food in rodent proof containers and wearing protections such as masks, gloves, gowns among others.”
It would be recalled that a Lassa Fever outbreak occurred in Taraba in February 2012 and claimed the lives of 10 persons including a doctor and two nurses who attended to the patients.
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