Nine
persons have reportedly tested positive for yellow fever following a
recent outbreak of the disease in Edo state.
Dr.
Faisal Shuaibu,Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare
Development Agency revealed this on Monday at a news conference in
Abuja.
According
to him, samples from the nine affected persons have been sent to a
WHO regional reference laboratory in Dakar, Senegal for more complex
testing procedures and further confirmation.
"The
recent report from Edo state about a fever of unknown origin is being
investigated. Tests done at laboratories in Nigeria have shown that 9
of the samples tested positive for yellow fever and as such, samples
have been forwarded to Dakar, Senegal for continuation."
He
reassured the general public that all relevant health agencies are
working to contain the spread and prevent further outbreaks.
"In
order to quickly respond to the outbreak, the National Primary Health
Care Development Agency, Epidemiology team, the World Health
Organization and other international development partners are working
together to rapidly conduct a comprehensive investigation and respond
appropriately to the situation on ground.
"Currently,
there is an ongoing preventive mass vaccination campaign with a
target age group of 9 months 44 years in Sokoto, Federal Capital
Territory, Plateau and some LGAs not covered in the last vaccination
campaign in Niger and Kebbi. The vaccination began on the 22nd
November 2018 and is expected to last till the 1st of December, 2018.
"I
urge all caretakers and citizens to avail themselves of immunization
with the yellow fever vaccine during this campaign. Vaccines are
safe, free and very effective."
Dr.
Faisal Shuaibu said the Federal Government on its own part is
committed to establishing a reference laboratory in the country to
reduce the logistics challenges with sample transportation and
laboratory turn-around time.
"This
will ultimately reduce the response time and consequently the
morbidity and mortality rates."
No comments:
Post a Comment