WHO donates drugs for Lassa Fever Treatment

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria, on Thursday 4th Jaunary 2016, donated 7,000 vials of Ribavirin to Nigeria towards treating cases of Lassa Fever in the country. The drugs were received by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control.

The CEO of the center, Prof. Abdusalaami Nasidi, expressed appreciation to the WHO for their immense contribution towards the Lassa Fever outbreak control.

The current Lassa Fever outbreak has recorded more deaths than was seen in recent past. While the possible causes of this death rate are currently being investigated, all hands are on deck to ensure that no more deaths are recorded in the country. Early reporting of cases by citizens, and compliance with standard infection prevention and control protocols by healthcare workers are seriously encouraged.

Home level prevention practices are also being encouraged; these include keeping good sanitation and hygiene to eliminate rats and contact with rats dropping respectively.

In the past week, 5 cases of Lassa Fever were discharged from treatment centers across the country after receiving full treatment. Lassa Fever is treatable and we enjoin persons within Nigeria to report any suspicion through the NCDC hotline 09-700010.

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