Nigeria has set up an emergency response centre to deal with outbreaks of the deadly Lassa fever in parts of the country.
This follows a rising number of cases in the last three weeks, with about 115 infections and 26 deaths having been been confirmed.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said activating the centre was necessary to contain the spread of the disease.
Lassa fever is an acute and often viral hemorrhagic fever, transmitted to human beings via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
Symptoms include fever, general weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, headaches and coughs.
The disease was first discovered in 1969 in the town of Lassa in Nigeria’s north-eastern state of Borno. Outbreaks are common in the country.
It has become endemic in West Africa, causing up to 5,000 deaths each year.
Latest Stories
-
Paris Olympic hopes hang in the balance as Ghana’s 4×100 relay team drops baton at World Relays
2 hours -
Western Regional House of Chiefs commends Bawumia for his humility and respect for traditional authorities
3 hours -
#JustTurned18: First-time voters critical to deciding 2024 presidential election
4 hours -
Video: EC lied that the cost per voter in 2020 was $7.7; it was $12.5 – Bright Simons
4 hours -
Former IGP passes on
4 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Kwadaso MP gave money to EC officials out of goodwill – Ahiagbah
5 hours -
Millennium City: Land owner breaks silence on fatal shooting of soldier
5 hours -
Photos of 2024 Aboakyer Festival
5 hours -
#JustTurned18: I now have an opportunity to use my thumb to bring someone into power – Excited prospective voters
6 hours -
OSP acted as a whistleblower transferring Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO – Sammy Darko
6 hours -
IMF calls for tariff adjustment for energy sector cost recovery
6 hours -
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
8 hours -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
8 hours -
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
9 hours -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
9 hours