The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says Nigerians
need not panic over the rising cases of Lassa fever because it has
initiated measures in response to the disease in the country.
The advice was expressed in a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu in Abuja.
Ihekweazu said that in preparation for this
year’s emergency phase, NCDC had been providing support to states,
including emergency supplies and deployment of Rapid Response Teams
(RRT).
He said that the RRTs would work with
states in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk
communication and strengthening infection prevention and control
practices.
“Recent epidemiological data shows that Lassa fever usually occurs during the dry season, between January and April.’’
According to him, as at Jan. 13, about 60 confirmed cases were reported in eight states.
”Given this increase in reported cases of
Lassa fever, the NCDC has declared this an outbreak and activated an
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response,” he said.
He said that given the increase in reported
cases, the NCDC declared it as an outbreak and activated an Emergency
Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response.
Ihekweazu, therefore, advised members
of the public to focus on prevention by practicing good personal
hygiene and proper environmental sanitation.
”Take effective measures by storing grain
and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage
far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to
discourage rodents from entering homes.
”Hand washing should be practiced frequently. The public is also advised to avoid bush burning.
”Health care workers are again reminded
that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing
febrile illness such as malaria.
”Healthcare providers are advised to practice standard precautions at all times, and to maintain a high index of suspicion.”
Ihekweazu advised that Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria.
”When the RDT is negative, other causes of
febrile illness including Lassa fever should be considered. Accurate
diagnosis and prompt treatment increases the chances of survival.
”The national guidelines for Infection
Prevention and Control, as well as Lassa fever case management have been
developed, disseminated to states and are available on the NCDC website
for download,’’ he said.
Ihekweazu reinstated Federal Government’s
commitment to supporting all States’ public health teams to prevent and
respond to public health threats.