Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Govt Moves to Curtail Lassa Fever
This follows the death of Dr Manu, an indigene of Taraba State in South Africa.
Manu was said to have died of Lassa fever in South Africa, after he returned from Nigeria (Taraba), where he visited the family of one Mr Dogara who died late last year.
The Taraba state Commissioner of health, Mr Marcus Hamidu, who confirmed the story yesterday, said experts from Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, with some delegates from the State Ministry of Health, have collected blood samples from Ardo-kola, Lau and Jalingo local government areas to test if there is Lassa fever in the state.
He said blood samples were also taken from family members of Dogara who Manu visited while in the state, while specimen of rates from these areas are also being tested.
Hamidu said while government is waiting for the result of the test, efforts are being made to enlighten the people on the symptoms of the fever and possible control measures.
He re-assured the people that government and other agencies are ready to ensure that the fever is curtailed, if there is any outbreak.
He advises people to report any suspected cases to the ministry and nearby hospital.
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<TD width="100%" valign="top">The Federal Government and Taraba State government have begun to check what might look like outbreak of Lassa fever in the state. This follows the death of Dr Manu, an indigene of Taraba State in South Africa.
Manu was said to have died of Lassa fever in South Africa, after he returned from Nigeria (Taraba), where he visited the family of one Mr Dogara who died late last year.
The Taraba state Commissioner of health, Mr Marcus Hamidu, who confirmed the story yesterday, said experts from Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, with some delegates from the State Ministry of Health, have collected blood samples from Ardo-kola, Lau and Jalingo local government areas to test if there is Lassa fever in the state.
He said blood samples were also taken from family members of Dogara who Manu visited while in the state, while specimen of rates from these areas are also being tested.
Hamidu said while government is waiting for the result of the test, efforts are being made to enlighten the people on the symptoms of the fever and possible control measures.
He re-assured the people that government and other agencies are ready to ensure that the fever is curtailed, if there is any outbreak.
He advises people to report any suspected cases to the ministry and nearby hospital.
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