Winifred Bosa.

Concerning the confirmation of the death of a health worker in Ogun State from Lassa fever, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole has urged Nigerians to be vigilant over the disease.

This advice was given through his ministry in a press statement on Wednesday.

Authorities in Ogun State where the death occurred have set up a quarantine centre to monitor those the victim had come in contact with.

Mr. Adewole, a professor of Medicine urged Nigerians to remain calm and seek care in healthcare facilities in the event they noticed any symptom of the disease.

‘Anybody with symptoms which include headache, fever, vomiting should report immediately to the nearest medical facility’.

‘Healthcare professionals are reminded to test before treating for suspected malaria and if the test is negative for malaria, to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever. Lassa fever is treatable when detected early’.

He urged medical professionals to report cases of the disease to the state epidemiologist who has been provided with the commodities by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to respond to cases.

The death of the health worker in Ogun came barely four months after the state was declared Lassa fever free.