The Federal Government has confirmed the death of 40 people out of 86 reported cases of Lassa fever outbreak in 10 states.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, while briefing newsmen on the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever in Abuja. Adewole advised communities to improve on their hygiene, including food hygiene and food protection practices.

he said.

According to him, the affected states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo.
He said the ministry had ordered for the immediate release of adequate quantities of “ribavirin”, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, to the affected states for prompt treatment of cases. Adewole added that the ministry deployed rapid response teams to all affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts.
Adewole said Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa fever, adding that Adewole said.