THE RE-EMERGENCE OF LASSA FEVER IN NIGERIA

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) was worried on the reemergence of Lassa fever in Nigeria after the last outbreak in 2012 which also claimed many lives.

AMLSN wishes to state as follows:
(1) Commiserates with the families, the federal and states governments hit by lassa fever in the country.
(2) Commends the federal ministry of health for the prompt interventions to arrest further spread of the disease and for ensuring that ribavirin is in good supply to most states of the federation.

(3) AMLSN urges governments at all levels, NGOs and health workers and health professionals to step up advocacy on Lassa fever to all stake holders including Market men and women, traders, food vendors and hawkers etc to have sufficient knowledge on how to prevent rats from having access to food and food stored in stores and warehouses especially food that are eating uncooked such as garri, groundnuts, biscuits, meat, fruits etc which can easily be contaminated by rodents.

(4) AMLSN decries the inadequate diagnostic laboratory facilities in Nigeria in spite of the persistent outbreaks in the country since the first case was detected in 1969. This is not in tandem with the principle of universal health coverage which has to be accessible, available and affordable

(5) AMLSN is of the position that with the lethal nature of the disease and the persistent nature in Nigeria, government should as a matter of urgency consider the situation of specialized public health laboratories against emerging and reemerging hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, lassa and so on

(6) Amlsn wishes to call on government at all levels to ensure the composition of a strategic team of health professionals that will be dedicated to surveillance, testing and general case management of lassa and other emerging and reemerging infectious diseases in Nigeria.

7). Amlsn hereby calls on the general public to ensure persons presenting with any of the preliminary symptoms is taken to the nearest health facility for prompt medical attention

8) The public should ensure high standards of personal and environmental hygiene as well as avoid the bush meat delicacy

Alh Toyosi Y Raheem
National President