ABUJA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Minister for Health, Osagie Ehanire, said at least 27 states of the federation have recorded cases of Lassa fever as at the last count.
Ehanire said this during a meeting with state health commissioners across the 36 states, at a two-day event organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja.
He also disclosed that progress is being made by the federal government on developing a vaccine against the disease in partnership with a German research firm.
The 36 state governors, under the aegis of the NGF, said in January that state governments are partnering with other health agencies to tackle the epidemic.
At least 16 people have so far died in a fresh outbreak of the disease in Ondo State, and about 84 cases have also been recorded since the beginning of the year.
In Kano State, the outbreak has killed three victims, including a pregnant woman and two medical doctors, after they were diagnosed at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
The Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control, (NCDC) said at least 82 cases have been detected across Nigeria in 2020 with at least 14 deaths.
Ehanire called on all Nigerians to ensure that the battle to curb the outbreak is not for government alone, saying it is a collaborative effort.
“I thank you all at this point for commendation the federal ministry of health has received in its efforts to contain the outbreak of Lassa fever which has moved to about 27 states as at last count. And we are also in collaboration to ensure that the Coronavirus does not enter Nigeria
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other services are coordinating the government response to control the outbreak and also prevent importation, progress is being made on developing a vaccine against Lassa fever with the help of a German medical research firm,” he said. — NNN-AGENCIES
