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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Nigeria : Is Lassa fever back?

Via The Nation :

" Lassa fever is back as cases are being reported in some parts of the country. The vectors are rats and dirty environment. WALE ADEPOJU writes on the Federal Government’s effort to contain the disease.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus found in rats, is on the loose in some parts of the country. The death of a medical doctor was reported in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State while unconfirmed reports claimed Imo and some northern states are experiencing what may turn out to be an epidemic, if not checked.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Akin Osibogun, said Lassa Fever is related to rats. "We need to watch out to see whether there is an increase in rat population. This is because they aid the transmission of the disease. So, there is the need to take measures to reduce the population of rats and engage in environmental cleanliness such as proper refuse disposal system among others."

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