Abuja, 11 February, 2016 - The Honourable   Minister of Health, Professor Isaac  Adewole, has assured the citizenry during a press briefing in Abuja on 11 February, 2016 that the “current outbreak of the Lassa fever is under control as evidenced by decline in new suspected cases, new laboratory confirmed cases and newly reported cases by week”.

Despite this achievement, Professor Adebowole informed the journalists that it is dangerous to be complacent at this stage since another second wave deep in the dry season is possible.

To curtail the scourge, “I have instructed the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to work closely with the Lassa Fever Eradication Committee and other partners to develop a Lassa Fever Control strategy that will withstand the test of time” the Minister stated.

Already, 176 cases have been reported (suspected, probable and confirmed) in 20 out of 36 states of Nigeria with 108 deaths recorded from suspected, probable and confirmed cases. The figures represent 61.4% Case Fatality Rate (CFR: 61.4%).

Furthermore, Professor Adebowole observed that,” as we were fighting to interrupt the transmission of Lassa fever in our country, the Zika virus epidemic, another health emergency of international health concern broke out in the Americas and have been spreading fast”.

According to the professor, some Nigerians are immune to the Zika virus infection as demonstrated by previous studies. He however warned that recent experience with the Lassa fever outbreak has taught the country a lesson that the disposition of complacency is not a luxury available to it. He therefore tasked the media and directed all states of the Federation to immediately embark on health education campaigns to empower communities take actions to protect themselves from Zika Virus as well as other mosquito-borne diseases. 

“I advise all Nigerians, particularly pregnant women to avoid travelling to countries infected by this virus in these periods. If however, you are to visit any country where Zika virus is now being actively transmitted, you are advised to protect yourselves from mosquito bites.

All health facilities in the country are hereby directed to emphasize routine infection prevention and control measures and ensure all pregnant women receive special attention and are treated free, in case of presentation with symptoms similar to any viral hemorrhagic fever” the Minister stated.

Other measures put in place include the expansion of the Field Epidemiology Training programme, laboratory testing, health care provider training, vector surveillance and control in at risk areas for Zika virus transmission. All laboratories currently testing for other hemorrhagic fever viruses have also been directed to include testing for Zika virus. Equally, points of entry screening was recently stepped up to capture anti-Zika activities.

The Federal Ministry of Health is also collaborating with the Ministry of Environment to embark on mosquito population reducing campaigns that will include the use of  larvicide.

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For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr Mary Stephen: +234 816 289 9789; Email: stephenm [at] who.int
Media contact:

Ms  Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.int

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Below:

01. Professor Adebowole giving updates on the Lassa fever outbrak and preparedness against Zika virus

02. The minister flanked by the Permanent Secretary FMOH and WHO Country Representative during the press briefing