One dead, 2 quarantined, as Lassa fever breaks out in Taraba

Barely three days into the New Year, the government of Taraba has reported an outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

According to the Commissioner of Health, Innocent Vakkai, one person has been confirmed dead while two other people kept in for observation.

He said: “One person died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have already been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.”

Vakkai however said that the state government had responded to the outbreak quickly and therefore urged the public not to panic.

He explained how the fever spreads.

“People usually get infected with the Lassa Virus after exposure to infected rodents, while person to person transmission occurs through direct contact with the sick person.”

“Other precautionary measures include putting food in rodent proof containers and wearing protections such as masks, gloves, gowns among others,” he added.

The commissioner further urged anyone who witnesses nasal bleeding as well as bleeding through the anus and mouth to the nearest hospital as they are among the symptoms of the fever.