One person died, two others have been quarantined as the government of Taraba state has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever.
Innocent Vakkai, the commissioner of health, who confirmed the development 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.”
Speaking to the journalists Vakkai urged the residents of the state
not to panic as the government had answered swiftly to the outbreak.
The commissioner also detailed on how the disease spreads.
“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,” he said.
Vakkai asked the people to avoid contact with rats particularly in the areas where the outbreak happened.
He continued: “Other precautionary measures include putting food
in rodent proof containers and wearing protections such as masks,
gloves, gowns among others.”
The commissioner further asked residents to report to the nearest
hospital any case of nasal bleeding, as well as bleeding through the
anus and mouth which he said are among the symptoms of the illness.
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