Nigerian government designates isolation wards for Lassa fever in capital city

The Nigerian government has designated isolation wards for the management of suspected Lassa fever cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, an official said Saturday.

Olutayo Haastrup, spokesperson of the National Hospital Abuja (NHA) told Xinhua in the capital city that the hospital had prepared four isolation wards.

"The hospital is fully prepared, measures have been taken and as soon as we have any suspected case of Lassa, we will be proactive in handling it," he added.

According to him, the hospital has trained 200 health personnel on the treatment and management of the virus.

He said the training became imperative following the outbreak of the disease in 10 states and the FCT with 43 deaths.

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