The Federal Ministry of Health has announced the end of the emergency phase of the Lassa fever epidemic, which claimed 106 lives this year.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekwazu, said this during a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Adewole described the outbreak as the largest in the history of Nigeria but argued that Nigeria had learnt a lot from the experience.
The minister said, “We are pleased to announce that following epidemiological review by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation, the emergency phase of the Lassa fever outbreak is over.
“You may recall that since the beginning of January 2018, we have experienced the largest Lassa fever outbreak in history. As of May 7, 2018, we had 423 confirmed cases and 106 deaths were recorded.
“The Lassa fever outbreak provided an opportunity for us to review and strengthen our public health system across disease preparedness, detection, surveillance and response.”
Explaining how the country was able to tackle the epidemic, Adewole said the most affected states cooperated fully with the Federal Government while rapid response teams were deployed in the affected areas.
He added, “The Federal Ministry of Health through NCDC activated an Emergency Operation Centre that worked extensively to coordinate outbreak response activities. We also supported the establishment of EOCs in the high burden States of Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi.
“Rapid Response Teams were deployed to states with cases where we supported enhanced surveillance activities, case investigation, management of cases and other response activities.”
The minister, however, urged Nigerians not to go back to the old habits which caused the disease to spread quickly.
Adewole noted that personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness remained the best way to prevent diseases like Lassa fever.
He said, “The end of the outbreak does not mean we will no longer record cases of Lassa fever. Given the epidemiology of the disease in Nigeria, there will still be reports of cases. However, we are now better prepared and have stronger response architecture.”
The minister commiserated with the families of health workers who lost their lives while treating people with Lassa fever.
Meanwhile, the minister has revealed that the Federal Government will soon begin screening persons leaving the country for Ebola and other diseases.
Adewole said this would help the government to curb the spread of diseases.
The minister said even though Ebola was still limited to Congo, the Federal Government would not take any chances.
He said the government was better prepared to tackle Ebola now than ever before.
Adewole said, “We are also aware of the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo following an announcement by the country on May 8, 2018.
“The NCDC is currently coordinating a national working group that is assessing and managing the risk to Nigeria. We are in close communication with our partners including the World Health Organisation, who are in Congo to monitor and respond to the situation.
“The Port Health services unit has been placed on red-alert and will heighten screening measures at ports of entry. Letters of alert have also been sent to all states to enhance surveillance activities and an advisory note for the general public.”
