Bauchi state governor Bala Mohammed has on Tuesday constituted Lassa fever rapid response team to confront and intensify campaign against the scourge of the virus that in recent times had claimed the life of a doctor and a district head in Bauchi.
WikkiTimes recalls that the state governor Bala Mohammed has on Monday cuts off his official visit to Germany to seek the urgent intervention of Nigeria’s Center for Disease Control over the outbreak of Lassa fever in Bauchi state.
The virus has killed the district head of Toro Alhaji Garba Adamu, a medical doctor and 9 other people within 10 weeks since the outbreak of the diseases.
Constituting the rapid response team at the council chamber government house Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed said the team will be headed by the deputy governor Senator Baba Tela.
The rapid response team houses relevant health agencies and international health partners, including UNICEF and WHO.
“This meeting is to show you that the leadership is concerned about the current outbreak of Lassa fever in our state. “As government, we are ready to work with you as experts for us to come up with action plan that will solve the situation.
Governor Bala Mohammed said based on his consultations with experts, they revealed to him that education and environmental sanitation are some of the strategic mechanisms in controlling the outbreak.
“I assure you that I am ready to give you all the necessary support in controlling the Lassa fever Outbreak.”
The governor said already he has sought for the support of stakeholders from the federal government agencies with a view to ensure quick response to current outbreak of the disease in the state.
Addressing newsmen after the inauguration of the state’s rapid response team, the health commissioner of the state Aliyu Mohammed Maigoro said the team will enter nook and crannies of the state to sensitize members of the public on preventive measures against Lassa and other infectious
Maigoro said the ministry in collaboration with the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency and other health partners will intensify efforts to quash the spread of the virus in the state.
