Reps to interface with minister over Lassa fever resurgence

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resolved to interface with the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, ‎over the alleged resurgence of Lassa fever in some parts of the country.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Sergius Ogun (Edo-PDP) on the alleged resurgence of Lassa fever in Nigeria.

Moving the motion, Rep. Ogun said that one of the important areas of focus for any government was the health sector.

This, according to him, is because of its importance to citizens and the dangers that disease and ill-health pose to the safety and security of the populace.

He raised concerns that in recent times that a virulent form of Lassa fever was plaguing the nation, similar to the Ebola fever with same symptoms.

“The first case of Lassa fever reported in Nigeria was in 2015 and between August 2015 and May 2016, 273 cases including 149 deaths were recorded by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Aware of a report published on Monday, January 16, 2017, by the Technical Assistant of Communication of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, urging Nigerians to be at alert.

“Laser fever is on the rise again with 19 cases and five deaths reported between 2016 and 2017 in seven states,” the lawmaker stated.

He therefore, emphasised the need for the Federal Government to address the resurgence of Lassa fever by coming up with a sustainable plan for the eradication of Lassa fever in Nigeria.

The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

The House thereafter, mandated its joint committees on Health Institutions and Healthcare Services to find out from the minister the steps being by government taken to tackle the outbreak.

The joint committee is to contact the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) on the alleged current outbreak and report back to the House in six weeks for further legislative input.