TheCable

Lassa fever has killed a total of five persons in Rivers and Taraba states.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Theophilous Odageme, Rivers state commissioner of health, said two persons have died from the disease in Rivers.

The statement urged the public not to panic because the government had “taken a proactive measure to contain an outbreak”.
Odageme advised the people to maintain good hygiene and report any case of the virus to the nearest health centre or hospital for urgent attention.

Meanwhile,Wiza Inusa, chief medical director of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba, confirmed the death of three persons as a result of  the haemorrhaging virus.

Giving an update on the outbreak  to journalists on Tuesday, Inusa disclosed that two victims were currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
“So far, we have a total of five cases out of which we lost three and two are receiving treatment,” he said.
“As we all know, this disease is carried by rodents, we advise people to mind the way they keep their food, plates and pots in the house.
“People should always keep their environment clean so as to keep rodents, especially rats, away.”
Inusa advised residents to avoid crowded areas and handshakes, and endeavour to report to medical personnel if a family member dies of unexplained condition.
In 2012, Lassa fever claimed 10 lives in Taraba before it was contained.