Federal Government has directed all health facilities across the country to treat Lassa fever patients free. The Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole made this known on Friday 8th January, 2016 in Abuja, while updating media on the outbreak of Lassa Fever epidemic in Nigeria.
The Minister said people should not fear on the current disease outbreak confirmed by laboratories to be Lassa Fever Viral Disease as the Federal Ministry of Health had taken measures to curtail further spread and reduce mortality in the affected state.
The Ministry has procured and distributed additional Ribavirin for immediate treatment purposes and creation of strategic stock for future possible cases.
“The public is hereby assured that the government and its partners, and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end”
“All health facilities in the country are hereby directed to emphasize routine infection prevention and control measures, andensure that all patients are treated free”
The Minister further said that family members and health care workers are advised to always be careful and avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons with symptoms similar to those listed for Lassa Fever and any such patients should be taken to nearest health facility.
Prof. Adewole urged general public to avoid contact with rodents/rats as well as food/objects contaminated with rats’ secretions/excretions.
“Avoid drying food in the open and along the roadside. It is also important to cover all food to prevent rodents’ contamination, all suspected cases should be reported immediately to enable early treatment” Prof. Adewole said.
Musa Mato
For: Director Press, FMoH
