Due to the recent rise of Lassa fever in 14 states, the Federal Government has said that about N500 million is needed to reduce the epidemic in the next three months.
Dr Abdulsalami Nasidi, Project Director, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Ministry of Health stated that over 40 million people have been placed at risk due to the spread of the hemorrhagic disease by rats to states that are not endemic.
He said: "Unfortunately, it has spread to several states and the population of these states is very high.we need more of the Lassa fever drugs and they are very expensive and an aggressive public enlightenment campaign".
At least 48 Lassa fever patients have reportedly been admitted in Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State in January 2012; 15 eventually died. States most affected include: Rivers, Gombe, Edo, Ondo, Plateau, Nassarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, the Federal Capital Territory, and Adamawa.
Nasidi said the establishment of the Nigerian CDC would assist the enhancement of the country's public health strategy, which includes timely preparedness and responses to health emergencies in communicable or non-communicable diseases.
