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Lassa fever spreads to Nigerian capital, one killed

Xinhua, January 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Nigeria's capital Abuja has recorded its first casualty of the Lassa fever outbreak which recently spread to 10 states across the country, minister of health Isaac Adewole said Thursday.

One victim was reported dead on Wednesday after being admitted to the National Hospital for treatment of the disease, the official said. The death toll has increased to 42, following the death of the victim.

The victim, who came sick from central Nigeria's Plateau State, was first admitted in a private hospital for one week before being transferred to the National Hospital where he gave up the ghost in within 24 hours of treatment, the official said.

He, however, called on residents of Abuja not to panic but maintain high level of vigilance and promptly report any suspected cases of Lassa fever to the authorities.

A statement by the Nigerian ministry of health said a directive has been issued for all primary and secondary contacts of the victim to be tracked, including the staff of the private hospital where the deceased was first managed for one week and subsequently became unconscious before referral to the National Hospital.

Lassa fever is an acute and often fatal viral disease, occurring mainly in West Africa. It is usually transmitted by contact with the saliva or excreta of rats accessing homes and food stores.

It is first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa in Nigeria. In some cases, Lassa fever has similar symptoms with malaria.

The latest outbreak is said to be the worst of the virus in Nigeria in the past four years. The outbreak erupted last November and the first reported case was in the northeastern state of Bauchi.

Nigerian authorities have said they are capable of putting the outbreak under control, noting there is a high survival rate for those diagnosed early.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control has started coordinating response activities in all affected states, officials say.

In 2012, Lassa fever killed more than 40 in 12 states across Nigeria, after which the government set up a Lassa Fever Rapid Response Committee for the prevention and control of the disease. Endit