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Senate Chides Health Officials Over Late Lassa Fever Awareness

The Senate on Tuesday expressed concern over the inability of health officials to start awareness campaigns against the Lassa Fever Virus after it became an … Continue reading Senate Chides Health Officials Over Late Lassa Fever Awareness


Death Toll Rises To 75, As NCDC Confirms 355 Cases Of Lassa Fever
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lassa feverThe Senate on Tuesday expressed concern over the inability of health officials to start awareness campaigns against the Lassa Fever Virus after it became an epidemic.

The lawmakers, at their first legislative business of the year, therefore demanded an aggressive sensitization about the disease and provision of preventive measures against the virus.

The concern of the Senate is coming just as medical practitioners at the Lassa Fever Reserch Center at the Irrua Specialist Hospital Edo State, accused the government of not giving the disease the attention it requires.

They fear that if nothing is done immediately to curtail further outbreak and spread of the virus, it could end up being a national emergency.

They however, declined a recommendation that the Federal Government distributes rat killers free of charge to Nigerians to help in eradicating rats from the environment.

Instead, they agreed that its Committee on Health invite the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, to inform the committee on actions the ministry is taking to prevent the spread of the virus.

41 people have lost their lives so far, with the virus reported in 10 states in Nigeria.