Nigeria has activated an Emergency Operations Centre to tackle a Lassa fever outbreak that has claimed 190 lives and infected 1,154 people across six states, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced on Monday.
The viral hemorrhagic disease, primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or excrement, has been classified as a high-risk outbreak by the NCDC. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris highlighted the urgency of the situation.
“While the disease occurs throughout the year, peak transmission typically happens between October and May, coinciding with the dry season when human exposure to rodents increases,” Idris stated.
The Emergency Operations Centre will streamline efforts to control and manage the outbreak, ensuring coordinated responses across affected states. Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headaches, and, in severe cases, death. The disease can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified Lassa fever as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential and the absence of approved vaccines.
Authorities are urging the public to maintain proper hygiene, store food securely, and promptly report symptoms to health facilities as part of measures to curb the outbreak.
Melissa Enoch
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