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Science & Health
Lassa Fever Outbreak in West Africa Escalating Rapidly: WHO
February 08, 2019 1:07 PM
Lisa Schlein
GENEVA ?
The World Health Organization reports it is scaling up efforts to try to control an outbreak of Lassa fever, which is escalating at a rapid pace...
...West Africa is in the midst of a seasonal outbreak, which usually flares between December and March. The disease is endemic in the region so, the current outbreak was expected. But, WHO spokesman Tarek Jasarevic says what is alarming is the scale and speed with which the disease is spreading.
?Right now, since the beginning of the outbreak until now, we already have one-third of the number of cases that we had last year," said Jasarevic. "And already last year was the biggest Lassa fever outbreak. So, basically, we are seeing more cases than usual.?
Nigeria declared an outbreak on January 22. The disease so far has affected 16 states. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control confirms 213 cases, including 42 deaths in what is seen as the largest outbreak in West Africa.
While Nigeria is the source of the most anxiety, WHO reports a total of 12 cases, including two deaths have been confirmed in Benin, Guinea, Liberia and Togo, with m
Science & Health
Lassa Fever Outbreak in West Africa Escalating Rapidly: WHO
February 08, 2019 1:07 PM
Lisa Schlein
GENEVA ?
The World Health Organization reports it is scaling up efforts to try to control an outbreak of Lassa fever, which is escalating at a rapid pace...
...West Africa is in the midst of a seasonal outbreak, which usually flares between December and March. The disease is endemic in the region so, the current outbreak was expected. But, WHO spokesman Tarek Jasarevic says what is alarming is the scale and speed with which the disease is spreading.
?Right now, since the beginning of the outbreak until now, we already have one-third of the number of cases that we had last year," said Jasarevic. "And already last year was the biggest Lassa fever outbreak. So, basically, we are seeing more cases than usual.?
Nigeria declared an outbreak on January 22. The disease so far has affected 16 states. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control confirms 213 cases, including 42 deaths in what is seen as the largest outbreak in West Africa.
While Nigeria is the source of the most anxiety, WHO reports a total of 12 cases, including two deaths have been confirmed in Benin, Guinea, Liberia and Togo, with m