In its effort to tackle the scourge of Lassa fever, the Bauchi State government has announced plans to establish isolation centers in three selected hospitals to manage and control the spread of the virus.
WikkiTimes reports that Lassa fever has been wrecking havoc in Bauchi since January, killing a district head, medical doctors and 9 other people.
The state Deputy governor Senator Baba Tela announced the establishment of the centres when he received in audience, officials of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control who visited him at the Council Chamber, Government House Bauchi.
Recall that the state Governor Bala Mohammed had set up a rapid response team headed by the deputy governor against Lassa fever, to help intensify campaigns across nook and crannies of the state.
The deputy governor said, “we are delighted to receive you today in the Government House Bauchi to condole us over the outbreak of Lassa fever that resulted to the dead of a District Head and others.
“We are aware of the measures taken by the NCDC to stop the spread of the disease not only in Bauchi state, but across the country in general. We will give you our support to achieve the set objectives.
Senator Baba Tela applauded stakeholders in the health sector for their collective efforts at tacking the outbreak of communicable diseases in the state.
“I commend our health workers for their commitment in the fight against communicable diseases in the state, on our part, we will give the necessary support.”
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the director general National Cneter for Disease Control who led the delegation during the visit said his team were in the state to condole the government and people of the state over the dead of the late Katukan Bauchi and others who lost their lives after contracting Lassa fever disease.
Represented by the Director Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi, Dr Ihekweazu stressed the need for the state government to embark on a massive awareness campaign as preventive mechanism against infectious disease in the state.
“Bauchi is an endemic state as far as Lassa fever disease is concerned, we have learned a lot with the dead of the Katukan Bauchi. “We are planning to monitor his family for 21 days to assess the situation.
“From all indication, Bauchi state government is ready to fight against the scourge of the disease, we will support you in the establishment of the isolation centers.”
The Director General said despite its threats to live, Lassa fever is preventable if reported early.
