Lassa Fever Claims Two More Lives In Plateau

lassa-feverLassa fever has claimed two more lives in Plateau, the state government confirmed on Monday in Jos, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Health, Kuden Dayin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the victims died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) on Saturday.

The latest development brings to three, the number of persons so far killed in the state, after the commissioner confirmed the death of one person at Ting village in Fombur District of Mangu local government area last week.

According to Mr. Dayin, relations, friends and health workers, who came in contact with the latest victims, have been placed under surveillance.

He also disclosed that 32 persons were currently under surveillance in Mangu, up from the 15 earlier placed under surveillance in that area last week.

The commissioner, however, said that none of the persons under surveillance had shown any positive sign of symptoms of the disease.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation for supplying drugs to the state through the Centre for Disease Control.

He warned people against the consumption of rat meat.

Mr. Dayin advised residents to ensure personal and environmental hygiene to minimise the possibility of contacting the disease.