Lassa Fever: Nigeria's government tracing 15 people in Abuja

Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria, the Federal government is tracing 35 persons in Abuja believed to have had contact with a late patient.

The patient whose identity is yet to be made public died at the Abuja National Hospital on Wednesday.

The latest death from Lassa fever brings the total number of deaths to 43 in the country (from 10 states).

Coordinator, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof. Abudulsalam Nasidi who confirmed the contact tracing said 15 persons have been placed under surveillance.

He said the number of people under surveillance might increase before the end of the day as the contact tracing is still on.

The death patient was said to have been rushed to the National Hospital after eight days in a private hospital in Kubwa, a satellite town in Abuja.
Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had called on health workers at all levels to be more vigilant and look out for patients with symptoms of the disease.

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However, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Dayo Saka-Fafunmi, on Thursday urged residents of the state to maintain a hygienic environment in order to prevent the spread of Lassa fever.