Nigerian Govt Worried About Lassa Fever as Dry Season Approaches

The government has expressed concern over the number of new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in some states, as the dry season approaches. Lassa fever generally occurs annually between October and early March. Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Health, says "so far this year, we have recorded 1,131 confirmed cases in 27 states. However, the number of new confirmed cases of Lassa has increased from three in the last few weeks to 11 cases this week." The minister also said the government is investigating the unexplained deaths in Delta and Enugu States. Lassa fever is a disease spread to humans through food, or household items, contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.

 

InFocus

A transmission electron micrograph of a number of Lassa virus virions adjacent to some cell debris. The virus, a member of the virus family Arenaviridae, causes Lassa fever.

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