Adamawa Lassa fever outbreak: Govt on top of the situation, says Commissioner

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The Adamawa state Ministry of Health has appealed to the public not to panic over the reported Lassa fever in the state, assuring that all necessary preventive measures have been put in place to curtail spread.
“The ministry of health is assuring the public of controlling this outbreak in the shortest possible time and needs the cooperation of all.
“Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family and close associates of the patient that lost his life as a result of this Lassa fever outbreak”, the commissioner said.
Commissioner of Health, Dr. Fatima Abubakar said emergency operation center for management of response activities on daily basis has been established.
Dr.Abubakar added that more drugs, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and supplies are being procured, explaining that alert signals have also been sent to all disease surveillance and notification officers in the state including neighbouring states of Taraba,Gombe and Borno states respectively.
Abubakar who addressed a press conference in Yola yesterday, decried that the outbreak came from Taraba state, advising public to report suspected cases of Lassa fever to nearest health facility or call the state emergency operation center in the state.
“The public should keep their homes and surroundings clean to avoid contact with rats and should always keep their food stuff in rodent proof containers.
“Avoid drying of food items in open space under sun and set traps for rats or keep cats to chase away rodents and to observe universal precautions wherever one come in contact with any patient regardless of infection status”, Abubakar said.