Rising stroke cases in Nigeria worry expert

A university don and an expert in stroke management, Professor Arthur Onwuchekwa, has expressed worry over the increasing cases of hypertension and stroke in the country.
Onwuchekwa explained that though, the cause of hypertension was preventable, the lifestyle of some Nigerians was making stroke difficult to conquer.
The expert, who is a lecturer in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Science, University of Port Harcourt, spoke while delivering a lecture titled, ‘Stroke: A Preventable Disaster Waiting to Happen’ at the 135th Inaugural Lecture of the university,
He identified excessive alcohol intake, too much consumption of salt and poor diet as some of the reasons why people suffered stroke, even as he expressed the need for a healthy life style, including regular exercise among Nigerians.
“The prevalence of stroke is high in Nigeria and no age race or class is speared. There are medical conditions that can be controlled in order to reduce stroke.
Hypertension is the commonest cause of stroke. If we reduce hypertension by 10 percent, the mass effect in reduction of stroke will be gladdening.
“Some kind of lifestyle like excessive intake of salt and alcohol can cause hypertension. Salt and alcohol damage the blood vessels and cell.
“If you don’t engage in physical exercise, it is also dangerous. Even poor diet can lead to stroke. If somebody does not control his diabetes he would be prone to stroke.

Foods that can reduce high blood Presure

Carrot
Carrots are high in potassium and beta-carotene which have been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure that can lead to heart disease. Carrot juice helps maintain normal blood pressure by regulating heart and kidney functions.

 Avocados
The oleic acid found in avocados can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They also contain potassium and folate, which both essential for heart health.

 Cabbage
Cabbage is high in a chemical compound called glutamic acid, which help in reducing blood pressure. Glutamic acid is the most common amino acid and accounts for almost a quarter of vegetable protein and nearly a fifth of animal protein.

Garlic
Eating one of clove of garlic a day was found have beneficial effects on controlling hypertension. In a study observed, people with high blood pressure who were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels are significantly reduced.

 Onion
Like garlic, onions are also useful in managing hypertension. The sulfur-containing compounds in onions have been shown to reduce high blood pressure. It is not surprising because onion is a cousin of garlic.

 Potatoes
The health benefits of potatoes are often overlooked because it is usually served in unhealthy ways, such as French fries, or potato chips. But in fact, potatoes are an excellent source of fiber and potassium which have been proven to reduce blood pressure.

Green tea
Many evidence have showed that Green Tea can help reduce high blood pressure risk. A study conducted in Taiwan found that people who drank at least 20 ounces (600 ml.) of green tea daily for at least one year had 65% lower risk of high blood pressure than those who do not.

Is there an early warning test for stroke?

Strokes seem to come out of the blue. But most of them happen due to decades-long damage to blood vessels and growth of artery-clogging plaque. That raises the question: Is there an early warning test for stroke?

Yes and no. A test called the carotid ultrasound can detect the buildup of cholesterol-filled plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck. These arteries deliver blood to the brain. The test, which uses sound waves, is quick, safe, and without any immediate potential for harm. It makes perfect sense for someone experiencing lightheadedness, memory loss, or the warning signs of a stroke or mini-stroke.

Having a carotid ultrasound test also makes sense for anyone in whom a doctor hears an abnormal sound called a bruit (BREW-ee) as he or she listens to the carotid arteries through a stethoscope. The scan is also a reasonable idea when a person has known risk factors for stroke, such as a previous "mini-stroke," high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. But a carotid ultrasound isn't a good idea for otherwise healthy people at average risk for stroke.

For most people, a better approach would be to pay attention to fighting things that cause or contribute to the formation and growth of cholesterol-filled plaque — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, not enough exercise, smoking, and the like. Getting those risk factors under control will go a long way to preventing stroke.

Health Benefits Of Onions

 

Never mind the tears they bring on–onions are an ace ally in your fight against disease. A prized member of the lily family, onions lavish you with health benefits while adding oodles of taste to your food. Not to mention you can buy a bundle from the markets or store for a little amount of money.

Here’s a quick glimpse at their incredible health benefits:

1. The phytochemicals in onions along with their vitamin C help improve immunity.

2. Onions contain chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar.


3. For centuries, onions have been used to reduce inflammation and heal infections.

4.Do you enjoy sliced onions with your food? If yes, rejoice! Raw onion lowers the production of bad cholesterol (LDL), thus keeping your heart healthy.

5. A powerful compound called quercetin in onions is known to play a significant role in preventing cancer.

6 Got stung by a honeybee? Apply onion juice on the area for immediate relief from the pain and burning sensation.

7. Onions scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing your risk of developing gastric ulcers.
Those bright green tops of green onions are rich in Vitamin A, so do use them often.

Which type of onions are the healthiest? Researchers from Cornell studied 11 onion varieties, and found that shallots and Western yellow onions were the healthiest for their phenolic and flavonoid content.
 

Diabetes.. Expert says consumption of maize good for disease management

An expert has revealed that consumption of maize was good for the management of diabetes and obesity in both children and adult.

A Nutritional Biochemist, Dr Ochuko Erukainure, said on Sunday that consumption of maize was good for the management of diabetes and obesity in both children and adult.

Erukainure, a Senior Research Officer at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that maize was one of the seasonal foods good for healthy living.

He said maize was rich in micro-nutrients like manganese, zinc, iron, copper and selenium, adding that its consumption could address the micro-nutrient deficiencies.

"Maize is part of the food items being enjoyed by people in various forms such as whole corn, corn flour, cornstarch, corn gluten, corn syrup, cornmeal, corn oil, popcorn, cornflakes, among others.

"Apart from satisfying the taste buds of its users, maize is also a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.

"Maize is rich in ferulic acid, a phenolic compound with anti-cancer activity, and anthocyanins found in purple corn is also a good antioxidant phytochemicals with reported anti-cancer activity.

"Owing to these phytochemicals and minerals, maize has been found to be effective in the management of many diseases such diabetes, cancer, and hypertension," Erukainure said.

The expert also said that maize was very rich in thiamine or vitamin B1 necessary for brain to absorb glucose and transform that food into energy.

"Biotin or Vitamin B7 give nutritional benefits to maize, since the deficiency of this vitamin in the body affects the state of the skin and hair.

"The nutritional benefits of maize are also determined by its vitamin A, which functions as an antioxidant in preventing diseases such as cancer.

"The high fibre content is another characteristic linked to the nutritional benefits of maize and makes it suitable for diets to lose weight and lower cholesterol levels in the body," he said.

Erukainure said that maize was nourishing snacks with no cholesterol, but contained high fibre which was ideal for body building and weight-watch when eaten in moderation.

He, however, advised that maize should be eaten moderately to enhance its effectiveness in strengthening the immune system for healthy life.

Mango leaves can cure disease, high blood pressure – Expert

The plant pathologist said that mango leaves could also be used in treating high blood pressure.

Prof. Moses Adeniji, a Consultant Plant Pathologist at the Herbal Treatment Home of Human Diseases, Orogun, Ibadan, has disclosed that mango leaves can successfully cure diabetes at the early stage.

Adeniji made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Ibadan on Wednesday.

He said that the tender leaves of the mango tree contain “tannis”, known as “anthocyanidins’’, could treat early diabetes and some other diseases at their early stage.

He said that the leaves could be dried and grinded into powder and could also be used as infusion to treat some diseases.

“The most useful parts of the leaves are the tender, reddish or purplish part, while the old mango leaves, which are dark, green in colour and with pale underside can also be dried and used.

“These leaves are rich in vitamin C, B and A. They are also rich in various nutrients. They have powerful antioxidant properties as they have a high content of flavonoids and phenols.

“Mango leaves are very useful for treating diabetes; the tender leaves which contain tannins which are also called anthocyanidins, help in the early treatment of diabetes.

“It also helps to treat diabetic `angiopathy’ and diabetic `retinopathy’; mango tea leaves are very good for this purpose.

“Soak the leaves in a cup of water overnight, strain and drink this tea to help relieve the symptoms of diabetes.

“The leaves contain a compound called 3beta-taraxenol, and ethyl acetate extract which synergise with insulin to activate GLUT4 and stimulate the synthesis of glycogen,” he said.

The plant pathologist said that mango leaves could also be used in treating high blood pressure.

He said that the leaves contain anti-hypertensive properties which help in strengthening the blood vessels and treating the problem of varicose veins.

Adeniji said that mango leaves could also be used in treating kidney stones and gallstones, adding that the leaves could be dried, grinded and added to water, left over night.

“Early morning consumption of the mixture and by the next morning could help in breaking the stones and flushing them out,’’ he said.

Adeniji also disclosed that mango leaves could cure all kinds of respiratory problems in both adults and children.

“The leaves are especially useful for people suffering from cold, bronchitis and asthma.

“Drinking a decoction made by boiling mango leaves in water with a little honey added to it helps in effectively curing cough and loss of voice,” he said.

He said that the mango leaves were available all year round in the country.

“Using them as anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties help treat various ailments efficiently at home,” he said.

Leverage your strengths for a more positive life

Strengths are built-in capacities for certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Everyone has these capacities to one degree or another. Your particular pattern of strengths is part of what makes you unique.

When you play from your strengths, you are likely to feel more energetic and perform better than when you are trying to use a capacity that comes less naturally. For example, one person trying to influence a local school board to ban soft drink sales might have the strength to speak up forcefully and clearly at a general meeting (despite the almost-universal fear of public speaking). Another person strong in team-building might feel uncomfortable speaking out in a meeting but could successfully build consensus among parents, nutritionists, and others to weigh the issue and come to a decision.

Leveraging your strengths can help you accomplish many goals. Making your strengths work for you, especially when the task at hand is well-aligned with your personal values, can leave you feeling more competent and connected.

4 ways to boost your self-compassion

Take a moment to think about how you treat yourself when you make a mistake or fail to reach a goal. If you tend to beat yourself up when things go wrong, you, like most people, can use a little more self-compassion in your life.

Forgiving and nurturing yourself seem to have benefits in their own right. They can even set the stage for better health, relationships, and general well-being. So far, research has revealed a number of benefits of self-compassion. Lower levels of anxiety and depression have been observed in people with higher self-compassion. Self-compassionate people recognize when they are suffering and are kind to themselves at these times, thereby lowering their own levels of related anxiety and depression.

Learn to have self-compassion

Some people come by self-compassion naturally, but not everyone does. Luckily, it is a learnable skill. Several methods have been proposed, and training programs are being developed, to help people discover and cultivate their own self-compassion.

Here are four ways to give your self-compassion skills a quick boost:

• Comfort your body. Eat something healthy. Lie down and rest. Massage your own neck, feet, or hands. Take a walk. Anything you can do to improve how you feel physically gives you a dose of self-compassion.
• Write a letter to yourself. Think of a situation that caused you to feel pain (a breakup with a lover, a job loss, a poorly received presentation). Write a letter to yourself describing the situation, but without blaming anyone — including yourself. Use this exercise to nurture your feelings.
• Give yourself encouragement. Think of what you would say to a good friend if he or she was facing a difficult or stressful situation. Then, when you find yourself in this kind of situation, direct these compassionate responses toward yourself.
• Practice mindfulness. Even a quick exercise, such as meditating for a few minutes, can be a great way to nurture and accept ourselves while we're in pain.

How medications can affect your balance

Medications make a difference — generally a positive one — in the lives of many people. But at the same time, all drugs carry side effects — and with many medications, one or more of those side effects can alter your balance. How? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common problems include vision changes, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, and impaired alertness or judgment. Some medications can even damage the inner ear, spurring temporary or permanent balance disorders.

Some of the commonly prescribed medications that can affect balance include:

• antidepressants
• anti-anxiety drugs
• antihistamines prescribed to relieve allergy symptoms
• blood pressure and other heart medications
• pain relievers, both prescription and non-prescription
• sleep aids (over-the-counter and prescription forms)

Sometimes the problem isn't a single drug, but a combination of medications being taken together. Older adults are especially vulnerable because drugs are absorbed and broken down differently as people age.

If you are concerned about how your medications may be affecting your balance, call your doctor and ask to review the drugs you're taking, their doses, and when you take them. It is never a good idea to just stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor first.

Fear Grips Anambra State Residents as Lassa Fever Kills Medical Doctor

Following the tragic passing of a medical doctor in Anambra, several residents is now panicking.

A medical doctor has been confirmed dead in Anambra State following a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever.

 

This latest development has sent residents of the state into palpable fear.

 

According to Daily Post, the State Ministry of Health Thursday made this announcement in Awka during a one-day Lassa fever training workshop.

 

Speaking at the workshop, one of the resource persons, Dr. Jane Ezeonu confirmed that the medical doctor died at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, three days ago.

 

The Director of Public Health in the state, Dr Emmanuel Okafor, who also spoke at the event confirmed that the state had equally recorded three other deaths recently.

 

She warned the people of the state to avoid taking raw garri, adding that they should protect their food and related items from rats.

 

According to him, “In Anambra State, we don’t know the number of cases of the disease, but we have three confirmed deaths”

 

He therefore, called on health workers in the state to exercise high standard in handling Lassa fever cases.

 

In his speech, the permanent secretary in the state ministry of health, Dr Okwuchukwu Chukwuka insisted that there was no such epidemic in the state.

 

He represented the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike on the training workshop.

 

He said “It is a training workshop for health professionals in the 21 local government areas of the state who would sensitize and disseminate information about Lassa fever to the grassroots.

“We are having the workshop for prevention, not that we have an epidemic in the state,” the permanent secretary said.

MASA LIFE SAVER: Stroke can hit at any age

MASA LIFE SAVER: Stroke can hit at any age: IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that mo...

MASA LIFE SAVER: Stroke can hit at any age

MASA LIFE SAVER: Stroke can hit at any age: IF you think stroke only affects those above 65, you could not be more wrong. Anyone at any age is at risk and studies have found that mo...

MASA LIFE SAVER: Nigeria's First 'Frozen Egg' Baby

MASA LIFE SAVER: Nigeria's First 'Frozen Egg' Baby: *First in West Africa, 5,001st in the world By Sola Ogundipe LAGOS — Nigeria has recorded the first successful birth of a baby conceived ...

MASA LIFE SAVER: Fourth Edition Masa Life Saver Magazine

MASA LIFE SAVER: Fourth Edition Masa Life Saver Magazine

Fourth Edition Masa Life Saver Magazine

Nigeria's First 'Frozen Egg' Baby

*First in West Africa, 5,001st in the world

By Sola Ogundipe

LAGOS — Nigeria has recorded the first successful birth of a baby conceived from frozen egg of a 44-year-old woman, who had suffered infertility for eight years, making it the first in the country and West Africa.

The birth and conception of the baby, named Tiwatope, which is the 5001st in the world, were carried out by Nigerian fertility specialists at The Bridge Clinic, a Lagos-based fertility treatment centre, where the mother had her eggs frozen using the vitrification (flash-freezing) process.

Announcing the medical milestone, a fertility physician at the Bridge Clinic, Lagos, Dr Emmanuel Owie, said the birth of the baby on February 16, 2016, effectively puts Nigeria on the global map as regards the practice of oocyte (egg) freezing or cryopreservation, a new offering in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) space.

He said prior to the birth of Tiwatope, the new practice seemed to be an exclusive preserve of the developed world of Europe and North America.

He said: “Tiwatope’s mother had her eggs frozen for two months, using the vitrification, also known as flash-freezing, process. This is the cutting edge technology in cryobiology, where the eggs or oocytes of a woman is dehydrated and the water content is replaced with ‘anti-freeze’ solution (cryoprotectants) before freezing. This will prevent the formation of ice crystals which could destroy the cell.”

On her readiness for pregnancy, Owie noted: “We fertilized the eggs using a standard technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to overcome the egg shell which normally gets hardened with freezing.

“The fertilized egg was subsequently transferred into her womb, resulting in the pregnancy with Tiwa. She had her antenatal care in her family hospital and delivered the baby boy through Caesarian Section.

“At The Bridge Clinic, we celebrate Tiwa’s birth as it is a further demonstration of our coming of age in the practice of assisted reproductive technology. It is a show of the sum of our strengths — our people, our process and our infrastructure. It demonstrates our commitment to global best practices which ensures that our offerings are in tandem with what is obtainable in the developed world, both in variety and in quality.”

Recommendation

Noting that the baby and his mother are in good health, Owie said egg freezing was particularly recommended for women diagnosed with cancer, who may lose their fertility during chemotherapy; women with a family history of early menopause; women with objections to storing frozen embryos for religious and/or moral reasons; and women who want to delay child-bearing in order to pursue some personal goals.

He said: “This offering is being delivered to many women in the developed world and is now being offered in Nigeria at a cost more affordable than what is obtained abroad. We encourage women who need this service to come up and have their eggs cryopreserved.”

Also speaking, Coordinator, Corporate Communications & Customer Client Relations, The Bridge Clinic, Dr Dayo Omogbehin, stated: “We are the first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) centre in Nigeria to achieve this success. It is great news for the family and fertility health research in the country and world at large.”

How it works
On how egg freezing works, Omogbehin said although sperm and embryos had proved easy to freeze, the egg was the largest cell in the human body and contains a large amount of water.

He said: “When frozen, ice crystals form that can destroy the cell. We must dehydrate the egg and replace the water with an ‘anti-freeze’ prior to freezing in order to prevent ice crystal formation.

“We also learned that because the shell of the egg hardens when frozen, sperm must be injected with a needle to fertilize the egg using a standard technique known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.”

Cancer Symptoms: This Woman Wants You to 'Take a Good Look' At Her Breast and Then Share the Photo Too

A woman has asked internet users to take a long and good look at her breast and then share the photo because it could save a life.

A woman has shared a photograph of the underside of her breast to raise awareness of a little-known symptom of breast cancer.

Kylie Armstrong, from Melbourne in Australia, was diagnosed with cancer after a slight change in her skin caused her enough concern to ask doctors to investigate.

She then posted the photo to Facebook, asking others to share it.

Kylie wrote: "Please take a good look at this photo. These 3 very, very subtle DIMPLES on the bottom of this breast are a sign of breast cancer! This is what my breast cancer looks like." (sic)

She goes on to explain that she didn't feel a lump - a symptom more commonly associated with the disease - and neither did her GP.

Kylie Armstrong posted this photo and asked people to look and share it

But after Kylie inisted there was something different about her breast, her doctor paid attention.

She said: "She listened to me when I said my breast looked different to usual and when I raised my arm I could see very, very faint dimples on the underside of my breast.

"The GP sent me for a mammogram to be sure. It wasn't obvious on the scan so they sent me for an ultrasound.

"The ultrasound found the cancer deep in my breast close to the muscle. These three dimples have turned my world and my family's world upside down.

"We are shocked, we are numb, we are emotional, we are sometimes OK, we are pretending it's not happening, we are trying to absorb information, we are dealing with tests, we are crying, we are trying to continue as normal.

"We are angry, we are sad. We have more questions than answers. We are doing our best to cope.

"I am sharing this because I hope I can make people aware that breast cancer is not always a detectable lump.

"Please go straight to your GP if you notice ANY change in your breast. It could save your life.

"Please share to spread awareness."

Hope for Sickle Cell Sufferers as Scientists Discover New Medical Breakthrough

This might come as good news for many sufferers of Sickle Cell Anemia as researchers have made what could be a stunning breakthrough to finding a cure.

Scientists at the haematology division at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia may have discovered a breakthrough in treating sickle cell anaemia. Speaking at the American Society of Haematology’s (ASH) annual meeting, the researchers put forward a new technique that hopes to reverse the effects of the condition. 

 

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetically inherited blood condition where the recessive gene, typically hidden by its dominant equivalent in the parents, reappears in their offspring, in what is known as an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Should a parent have the condition, the likeliness of their child developing it is 50%. Should both parents only have the recessive gene, the likelihood decreases to one in four. The mutation responsible occurs on the gene responsible for coding the beta-globin chain in haemoglobin, the compound that makes blood cells red and carries oxygen to respiring tissue, replacing one protein by another. 

 

This seemingly innocuous swap means that the normally round and flexible red blood cell becomes rigid and sickle shaped. As a result they can become obstructed in the tiny capillaries within tissue, and carry less oxygen around the body. However, scientists have found a way of restoring fully functional red blood cells that could be used to treat the condition if they are able to transfer their laboratory cell culture findings to actual human tissue. 

 

The technique is called “forced chromatin looping” according Dr. Jeremy Rupon, haematologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, during a press conference on their novel findings. 

 

This procedure causes the production of foetal haemoglobin, a type of haemoglobin that is usually silenced soon after birth in preference of adult haemoglobin production. As foetal haemoglobin is unaffected by sickle cell anaemia, the researchers hope to use this reversal of a biological switch to restart foetal haemoglobin production, with the hope of treating the condition in patients. These findings are based on previous work by Dr. Gerd Blobel, who also worked on the current project, published back in the June 2012 edition of the journal Cell. 

 

They discovered that the creation of a chromatin loop between the separated enhancer and promoter regions of the beta-globin gene leads to gene transcription, the process where DNA code is “read” and a copy is created to be sent to specialized areas in the cell to be produced and hence expressed. 

 

And, thanks to Dr. Blobel and his team’s previous work, they knew how to cause the looping thanks to the molecule known as looping factor Ldb1 attached to a zinc finger protein, the latter allowing attachment at a specific site on the DNA strand. 

 

Dr. Rupon and his team designed and genetically engineered a zinc finger protein to attach and force a loop at the site in the DNA strand responsible for producing foetal haemoglobin. The loop allows the reactivation of the gene, causing expression of the genetic code. 

 

The cell cultures showed that this technique was effective in “reversing”, so to speak, the biological switch responsible for silencing foetal haemoglobin production. In the mice model, the researchers found that this zinc finger/Lbd1 compound was extremely effective in promoting embryonic beta-globin production, with the forced looping resulting in an 800-fold increase in transcription. 

 

A similar result was found when they tested human adult red blood cells. These results are highly promising, and Dr. Rupon hopes to advance this research to clinical trials, with the hope of curing sickle cell anaemia. 

 

In addition, this may be the first of many conditions to be treated in this manner, said Dr. Rupon, with a variety of haemoglobin conditions that could be solved by reverting to foetal red blood cells. 

 

Source: ThePositive

In Kaduna State-Nigeria, Lassa Fever Kills Doctor,Nurse, Pregnant Woman

Kaduna State government has confirmed the death of three people following an outbreak of Lassa fever.

The trio – a doctor, a nurse and a pregnant woman, were confirmed dead at Saint Louis Specialist Hospital, Zonkwa, Zango Kataf local government area.

The Commissioner for health in the State, Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, told newsmen on Monday that the doctor and the nurse had symptoms of Lassa fever shortly after operating on the pregnant woman, who was brought in from another hospital in Kafanchan.

He said they died few days after testing positive to the deadly disease.

Nok disclosed that the affected hospitals had been put under isolation, with a view to tracing the primary and secondary contacts with the deceased.

Nok called on residents of the state not to panic. He urged them to maintain personal hygiene as well as keep their environment clean

Febrile Rash Illnesses Hits Lagos Community, 20 Killed So Far

34 cases under examination
We’ll fight outbreak, says health Commissioner

An outbreak febrile rash illnesses (FRI) has been recorded in Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State,leaving at least 20 kids dead.

Thirty-four other cases are currently under examination, Health Commissioner Jide Idris announced yesterday.

The outbreak was first identified by the Medical Officer of Health of the LGA on the 9th February, he said.

The victims are said to be within the age range of eight and 72 months.

Dr Idris said his ministry has already notified the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the situation.

It has also constituted a team of Epidemiologists to investigate the outbreak and institute appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

But he said although the disease causing the outbreak is yet to be confirmed, “the signs and symptoms are suggestive of Febrile Rash Illnesses.”

He added: “Blood samples (and throat swabs) from the patients and water samples from the community have been taken to the Virology Reference Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH, Ikeja respectively. The source of the infection is still under investigation.”

Otodo Gbame community, according to Idris is an expansive, sandy riverine, flood prone and camp-lie settlements with an estimated population of 100,000 people.

“The people are mainly Egun, however there are other tribes in the minority. The community is a slum with waste deposited at different spots. There are many scattered shallow wells in the community. The water from the wells is found to be used mostly for bathing, washing and cooking. Majority of the citizen claimed it is not used for drinking but a few said they sometimes drink from the well. The community head Chief Hunpe Dansu confirmed the outbreak of the Febrile Rash illnesses.”

The government is said to be intensifying efforts to conduct mapping of all slums and blighted areas in the state towards reducing the health hazards associated with such areas.

He enjoined the people to join hands with the government in the identification of slums and in ensuring environmental sanitation at all times. And members of the public and health workers are to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility or call the following lines- 08037170614, 08055281442 and 08023169485.

300,000 Nigerian Children At Risk Over Malnutrition

 

Addressing a gathering in Abuja, UNICEF Chief Nutritionist in Nigeria, Arjan de Wagt, said that 300,000 children would die in 2016 alone if they were not treated.

Severe Acute Malnutrition
Reading out a report of her group, the National Coordinator of  Civil Society Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Philippa Momah, said more than 1.6 million Nigerian children between six months and five years were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
“These children are nine times more likely to die than well nourished children.
“Without treatment, do you know that about 300,000 of these children will die in 2016 alone?” she questioned.
“On the foregoing, we call on the Federal, State and Local Governments to create nutrition specific budget lines in the Ministries of Health, Education and Agriculture at the Federal States and LGA levels in Nigeria.
“We call on them to develop nutrition plan and action.”
Mr Wagt is, however, hopeful that if drastic commitments were made, most of the malnourished children would survive.
Both UNICEF and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations called on the Federal Government to act by making funds available for the treatment of malnourished children.
UNICEF is a United Nations programme that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.

LUTH discharges Lassa fever patient

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi – Araba, on Friday said that it had discharged its Lassa fever patient who had been in isolation for four weeks.
A statement which was signed by the Information Officer of LUTH said that the patient had now tested negative to the Lassa fever virus after weeks of receiving treatment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first case of Lassa fever in Lagos was diagnosed at the LUTH on Jan. 15.
It was a 25-year-old student of the Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria, Kaduna State, who had contacted the virus before he came to visit his parents at Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos State.
He was admitted in a private hospital at Ifako-Ijaiye on Jan. 9 and was transferred to LUTH on Jan.15 on an account of developing symptoms of fever, sore throat and body ache.
The medical personnel in LUTH had run a blood test on him of which confirmed that he had Lassa fever.
The statement said, “It is gladdening to note that the patient has fully recovered and has been discharged having tested negative for Lassa fever virus.

“When the case was reported, the Lagos State and Federal Governments were intimated and they gave a quick response by providing logistic support including providing the drug (ribavirin) for Lassa fever.
“The hospital also mobilised its team of specialists including nurses, virologists and medical microbiologists.
“The patient was managed in an Isolation Centre with other drugs and adequate infection control measures put in place.

“These included contact tracing and monitoring,’’ it said.
The statement said that the management of the hospital applauded the Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control and the Lagos State Government for their quick intervention.
According to it, the LUTH is probably one of the first hospitals in the South West that has successfully admitted, managed and discharged a Lassa fever patient in this current outbreak.
The statement called on multinational companies, corporate bodies and individuals to support and partner with LUTH to ensure efficient health care delivery to the country. (NAN)

Lassa fever: Ahmadiyya hospital reopens, begins full operation

The Ahmaddiyya Muslim Hospital, Ojokoro, Lagos  has been issued a Certificate of Clearance by the Ministry of Health and has been reopened for full medical services after 21 days of closure by Lagos state government.
This was sequel to the treatment of the 25-year-old student from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who was diagnosed with Lassa fever at the hospital.
When our correspondent visited the hospital, medical activities as well as business activities are now in full operation.
Our correspondent gathered that the 15 patients placed under surveillance had also been discharged after the hospital was issued the certificate of clearance on Friday, February 5th, 2016.

Doctor Performs Surgery on Wrong Newborn Baby

A doctor has incurred the outrage of a couple after he mistaken operated on their baby instead of another who was scheduled for an operation.

 A couple is outraged after a doctor mistakenly performed tongue-clipping surgery on their son after mixing him up with another baby.

Not long after baby Nate was born at University Medical Center in Lebanon, he went for what was supposed to be a routine physical. A few hours later, he was brought back to his parents.

"At that point the nurse started to mention the procedure they had done," his mom, Jennifer Melton, told WTVF.

They were confused. The nurse explained that surgeons had cut the flap of skin beneath Nate's tongue. The little boy did not need the procedure, which had been intended for another child.

"Essentially they took our child who was healthy from the room and cut his mouth," Jennifer said. "At that point I began to cry hysterically."

The family's attorney called the mistake "recklessness."

"There is no excuse on operating on the wrong baby, none," Clint Kelly told WTVF.

The doctor who performed the procedure reportedly admitted his mistake, writing in a progress report: "I had asked for the wrong infant. I had likely performed the procedure on an infant different than the one I intended to ... and I admitted my mistake and apologized."

The family is now concerned about how little Nate will develop as he grows.

"We don't know if the child will have speech problems or eating problems," Kelly said.

University Medical Center declined to comment, citing federal privacy regulations.

"However, we can confirm that we take seriously any concerns brought to our attention, and those matters are reviewed pursuant to the hospital’s medical staff by-laws," it said in a statement provided to INSIDE EDITION. "If made aware of a concern, we promptly seek to address it and take action as appropriate to prevent any future concerns."

China confirms first case of Zika virus

It added that the Hong Kong’s Port Health Office had stepped up inspections at the airport, in response and reinforced training for boundary control inspectors.

It, however, said no cases of the virus in Hong Kong had been reported, so far.
The statement said further that there was a risk that Zika virus could be spread locally if it was introduced to Hong Kong, because Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes, which transmit the virus, live there.
Meanwhile, Ko Wing-man, Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health, told reporters that the bureau was seeking details of the man’s travel history, from the mainland authorities because he had transited through the city.

He said the risk of contracting the virus through human contact was low, so the bureau was not worried about the spread of the illness in Hong Kong.
Wing-man said even at that, the authorities were monitoring the situation closely.
Zika has spread quickly in South and Central America and the Caribbean, with Brazil the worst affected country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an international health emergency on Feb. 1 over the virus, citing concern over a possible link with a rise in cases of microcephaly.
Microcephaly is a birth defect characterised by an abnormally small head that can result in developmental problems.
Most infected people have no symptoms or mild ones including fever and skin rashes. (Xinhua/NAN)

China has confirmed its first case of the Zika virus in a man who had recently travelled to South America.
Hong Kong’s Department of Health, said on Wednesday in a statement in Beijing that the infected Chinese man had travelled to Venezuela and displayed symptoms including a fever, headache and dizziness on Jan. 28.
The statement said the man returned home on Feb. 5, via Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
It disclosed that the infected man had been quarantined at a hospital in his hometown since Feb. 6, adding that he was recovering with normal body temperature and a fading rash.

Zika Virus Is In Nigeria- Health Minister

Twenty Five percent of Nigeria’s population have tested positive to the dreaded Zika virus currently ravaging the South American continent.

The Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole who made the revelation while defending the 2016 budget of the Ministry of Health said the virus is not taken serious because Nigeria is not interested in it.

He said: “I want to say that Zika has been with us since 1954. About 25% of Nigerians are positive to Zika virus but what has happened is that it has done nothing to us.”
Zika virus according to the Centre for Disease Control, spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.

In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.

In response, CDC has issued travel notices for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.

During large outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively, national health authorities reported potential neurological and auto-immune complications of Zika virus disease.

Recently in Brazil, local health authorities have observed an increase in Zika virus infections in the general public as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly.

However, more investigation is needed before we understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus. Other potential causes are also being investigated.

10 ‘red flag’ symptoms that mean you could have cancer

From persistent cough to sore throat that won’t heal, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, inexplicable lump, unaccountable bleeding, changing bladder habits, persistent pain
A persistent cough, a sore that refuses to heal, unexplained weight loss and changing bladder habits.They may seem innocuous, irritating facts of life.

But experts warn people not to dismiss them and six other key changes in the body, for fear they could be a sign of something far more sinister.
The 10 red flags for cancer are ingrained in the minds of doctors and healthcare workers the world over. But on World Cancer Day, February 4, experts are reminding members of the public to familiarise themselves with the key symptoms, in a bid to save lives.

Currently 8.2 million people die from the disease across the world each year – 4.7 million men and 3.5 million women.Of those, four million deaths are premature, those people aged 30 to 69 years old.In many cases early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death for cancer patients.
A survey by researchers on behalf of Cancer Research United Kingdom (UK) last year found almost half of those displaying at least one red flag for cancer did not visit their General Practitioner (GP), thinking their symptoms ‘trivial’.

Among the signs are unexplained weight loss, which can indicate a number of forms of the disease, including liver cancer, which claimed the life of icon and singer David Bowie in January aged just 69.
Days later actor Alan Rickman lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, also aged just 69. One symptom of that disease – and other forms – is persistent and unexplained pain, experts say.
If you or a member of your family is suffering at least one of these 10 red flag symptoms, experts advise you book an appointment with a doctor straight away:

1. A persistent cough- Red flag for… lung cancer
Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread too far to be cured. But, symptoms do occur in some people in the early stages of lung cancer.A new cough that does not go away, or changes in a chronic cough or ‘smoker’s cough’ can be an early indication of the disease.In addition, chest pain linked to coughing, deep breathing or lauging as well as hoarseness and coughing up blood are early warning signs.

2. A change in the appearance of a mole- Red flag for… skin cancer
Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, can appear anywhere on the body, but they most commonly appear on the back, legs, arms and face and even underneath a nail.Though less common, they often spread to other organs in the body, making them more deadly.The most common sign is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.
Signs to look out for include a mole that is: getting bigger; changing shape; changing colour; bleeding or becoming crusty; and itchy or painful.
A helpful way to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma is the ‘ABCDE’ checklist:
Asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape.
Border – melanomas have a notched or ragged border.
Colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours.
Diameter – melanomas are often larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter.
Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma.

3. A persistent chance in bowel habits- Red flag for… bowel cancer
The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools or faeces, a change in bowel habit, such as going more frequently, or having looser stools, and abdominal pain.
However, these symptoms are very common, and can easily be attributed to other conditions.
As the vast majority of people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 60, these symptoms become more important with age.
Most patients with the disease will present to their doctor with one of the following symptoms combinations:
*A persistent change in bowel habit, causing a person to go to the toilet more often and pass looser stools, together with blood on or in the stools
*A persistent change in bowel habit without blood in their stools, but with abdominal pain
*Blood in the stools without other haemorrhoid symptoms, such as soreness, discomfort, pain, itching, or a lump hanging down outside the rectum
*Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always provoked by eating, and sometimes resulting in a reduction in the amount eaten and weight loss

4. A sore that doesn’t heal- Red flag for… many types of cancer
A sore or ulcer in the mouth that fails to heal is the most common symptoms of mouth cancer, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Furthermore persistent pain in the mouth can also be a sign.
As for the rest of the body, experts at Cancer Research UK say a person should seek advise from a doctor if a spot, wart or sore doesn’t heal after several weeks, even if it is painless.
The skin repairs itself very quickly and any damage should typically heal within a week or so.
Abdominal pain can indicate pancreatic cancer, the disease which killed actor Alan Rickman, pictured as the Sheriff of Nottingham, right, last month, also aged 69.

5. A persistent difficulty swallowing- Red flag for… oesophageal cancer
A number of medical conditions can make it difficult to swallow.But if you are having difficulty swallowing and the problem doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks, it should be checked out.
The key sign of oesophageal cancer is a difficulty swallowing. This problem may contribute to weight loss, which can also indicate the disease is present.

6. Unexplained weight loss- Red flag for… a number of cancers
Most people with cancer will lose weight at some point. When you lose weight for no known reason, it’s called an unexplained weight loss, according to the American Cancer Society.An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more may be the first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus (swallowing tube), or lung.
Experts at Cancer Research UK add that small weight changes over time are quite normal, but if you lose a noticeable amount of weight without trying to, tell your doctor.

7. A persistent change in bladder habits- Red flag for… bladder or prostate cancer
Problems urinating can include needing to pee urgently, more frequently, being unable to go when you need to, or experiencing pain. These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s important to tell your doctor if you experience any of them. A slow or weak urinary stream, or the need to urinate more often, especially at night, can indicate prostate cancer specifically.
Blood in the urine is also a sign.With bladder cancer, the disease can cause changes in urination, including having to urinate more often, pain or burning during urination and feeling as if you need to go right away, even if the bladder is not full.
These symptoms are also more likely to be caused by a benign condition such as infection, bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in men).
But, it is important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
YOUR CHANCE OF SURVIVAL
BREAST CANCER: 96 per cent of women survive for at least one year, 87 per cent do so for five years, and 78 per cent for a decade.
SKIN CANCER: 88 per cent of men survive for five years or more. For women the figures are even better, with 92 per cent predicted to survive for at least five years.
LUNG CANCER: Just eight per cent of men survive for five years or more, compared with 12 per cent of women.
PROSTATE CANCER: Some 85 per cent of patients survive for five years or more.
BOWEL CANCER: 59 per cent of men survive for five years or more. For women, the figure is 58 per cent.

8. An unexplained lump- Red flag for… many types of cancer
A great many cancers can be felt through the skin, though typically they occur in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes and soft tissues of the body.A lump or thickening of tissue can be an early sign of the disease, but it can also indicate some forms of the disease are in an advanced stage.You should visit a doctor, especially if you have just found a lump or noticed a lump has grown in size.The American Cancer Society note that some breast cancers can show up as red or thickened skin rather than a lump.

9. Persistent, unexplained pain- Red flag for… many types of cancer
Pain can present in the early stages of a number of cancers, but especially with bone and testicular cancers. A headache that will not go away or get better with treatment can be a sign of a brain tumour.Furthermore, back pain can indicate cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovary.
In most cases, where pain is felt and cancer is diagnosed it is an indication that the disease has spread from its primary location in the body.

10. Unexplained bleeding- Red flag for… many types of cancer, namely bowel, cervical or vulval cancer
In both the early and late stages of the disease, unexplained bleeding can occur. Coughing up blood can be a sign of lung cancer, while blood in the stool is an indication of colon or rectal cancer.Cancer of the cervix or the endometrium – the lining of the uterus – can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding.Blood in the urine can indicate a person is suffering bladder, kidney or prostate cancer.And a bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.
*Culled from DailyMail.UK online

Lagos Cardiac Renal Facilities Pack Up

Revelations have emerged that the mutli-billion naira Cardiac, Renal Centre within the premises of the Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos, western Nigeria, has packed up almost a year after it was commissioned by former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

In March 2015, the former governor had commissioned the centre, one of which was expected to attract revenue for the state and cater for the health need of people suffering from related ailments.

Sources within the centre have revealed that the centre has not commenced full operation since then because most of the facilities in place, as provided by the contractor, Deux Project, are not up to standard.

Some of the staff also revealed same to the Committee on Health Services of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Olusegun Olulade, when the committee paid a visit to the centre.

The committee was at the centre to ascertain how it had functioned since its commissioning.
The committee members were shocked about the revelations that emerged during the visit after the members learnt that some of the equipment installed by the contractor at the centre have never functioned for a single day.

It was revealed that the Catheterization Laboratory (Cathlab) machine, a diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualise the arteries and chambers of the heart, and treat any abnormality found, which was said to have cost about $1.5 million was not functioning,
Other non-functional facilities at the centre include a theatre unit with two theatre suites with laminar flow air-control; central sterilisation and supply unit; four bed recovery room echo lab; stress lab; 24 dialysis machines; pharmacy; laboratories; ophthalmology clinic for eye screening; physiotherapy/rehabilitation unit.

It was also learnt that most consultants, professionals and doctors employed by the centre had left since they could not operate the facilities.
Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Prof. Babatunde Green, also confirmed the situation to the committee
He even explained that the building was already suffering some defects.

Prof. Green said the building already had cracks on its walls. It also has electrical defects as well as defect with the elevator, adding that Renescor Health, which manages the centre under a Public/Private Partnership scheme, had been responsible for the maintenance of the building so it does not collapse.

He said: “since we came on board, we have not been able to do anything because a lot of the equipment that were installed are not functioning.
“Apart from the fact that the elevators are not working, they don’t have ventilation and this is dangerous to the patients because if you are taking a patient in that kind of lift, the patient could suffocate before you get to the theatre.

“Even in the operating rooms, there are no cooling systems. The machine in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory which cost about 1.5 million dollars has never worked from the day it was installed.
“We have tried everything humanly possible to ensure that things are put in order here; we have written several letters to the Ministry of Health and there have been no response or whatsoever.

“We have brought engineers to fix the minor problems, such as the electrical defects, but they are requesting for the drawing so as to make the work easier for them but the contractor has not cooperated in this regard at all.
“This place should by now be making good revenue for the state because it is the only one in Nigeria and people with heart and renal related ailments are supposed to be coming here for treatment.

“We have employed staff whom we are paying on monthly basis but nothing is happening here.”
Deux Project Limited, according to findings by the committee, executed the project and several other project within the state.

Some of these projects include Maternal and Child Centres in Badagry, Epe, Lekki; Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and Auditorium; Fence, Arcade and Driveway in Lekki.
Members of the committee, which include some members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could not hide their disappointment.

The committee members promised to investigate the issue and ensure justice was done.
“We can’t fold our arms and not look into why the equipment here are not working. I was on a television station a few days ago and I was bragging about this place; telling the presenters that it is the only one in Nigeria and that it is the best in Africa, but I never knew that nothing is happening here,” Olulade said.

The committee, according to findings, has sat twice over the issue, but when contacted, Olulade could not speak as the committee had not concluded its investigation.

Obama Asks Congress for $1.8 Billion to Combat Zika Virus

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Monday requested more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to fight an outbreak of the Zika virus, which has spread to 26 countries and territories in Central and South America, though not yet to the United States.

The money would go toward expanding programs that control mosquitoes, which transmit the virus, as well as research into vaccines and new public education programs, particularly for pregnant women, the president said in an interview on “CBS This Morning.”

Brazil, which has been among the countries hardest hit by the virus, has reported a significant increase in the birth of babies with abnormally small heads, a condition that may be linked to the virus.

 Mr. Obama’s request to Congress came as the White House was trying to strike a balance between being responsive to the outbreak and not provoking alarm. Two years ago, the administration initially played down the risk that the Ebola virus would spread to the United States, only to reverse course after the diagnosis of several cases here. Mr. Obama, angered by the slow response, appointed a special coordinator to handle the outbreak.So far, there have been no documented cases that the Zika virus has been transmitted by mosquitoes within the continental United States. But there have been 50 confirmed cases of the virus in people who traveled to infected areas and then returned to the country.

“The good news is this is not like Ebola — people don’t die of Zika; a lot of people get it and don’t even know that they have it,” Mr. Obama said in the interview with Gayle King. “What we now know, though, is that there appears to be some significant risk for pregnant women or women who are thinking about getting pregnant.”

Even so, fears about the virus are affecting an array of other issues, including whether American athletes should reconsider plans to travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games in August.

Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said on Monday that athletes should ask their doctors whether they should rethink their plans. He called on Congress to swiftly approve the emergency funding request.

“This sort of falls in the category of things that shouldn’t break down along party lines,” he said.

Previous public health scares have quickly mutated into political crises. The White House’s halting response to the Ebola virus hurt Democratic lawmakers in midterm elections in 2014, and the Zika virus has prompted a well of concern on Capitol Hill.

On Friday, Senate Democrats wrote a letter to Mr. Obama urging him to develop a multifront strategy for combating Zika that would include a range of agencies, from the Department of Health and Human Services to the United States Agency for International Development.

Recent Discoveries That Could Revolutionize Medicine-Disarming HIV

HIV/AIDS kills around 1.8 million people a year, and ranks as the third leading cause of death in low-income countries. But a recent study in journal Blood presents a potentially new way to combat the disease: instead of killing the virus, make the body resistant to it. When a person is infected, the body's innate immune system provides an immediate but flawed defense; HIV takes its membrane or "skin" from the cell that it infects.

Researchers led by scientists at Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University exposed HIV by removing cholesterol from this cellular wall, producing a large hole in the virus's membrane and making it permeable, which in turn led to a stronger adaptive response, orchestrated by immune cells. While researchers have lengths to go before they can even think to announce a cure for HIV, this breakthrough could drastically reduce the amount of resources devoted to treating and combating the disease and provide insight into fighting similarly complex diseases in the future.

Lassa Fever Now Under Control—Health Minister Assures

The Minister of Health, Professor Issac Adewole on Wednesday said that the suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever in the country has been brought under control. He also commended the Niger State Government for been proactive in handling the outbreak of the disease in the state. Niger State was one of the 10 States alleged to have been affected by the disease.

The Minister who was in Minna, Niger State capital on surveillance and nationwide fact finding on the outbreak of Lassa Fever told the Niger Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello that despite the high rate of fatality in the last few months, efforts by all stake-holders in the country have brought the scourge of the disease under control.

"A nationwide alert system is on to track the disease. Except for the case in Plateau, no person-to-person or hospital acquired infection has been recorded. So far, things are under control but the state and local government should put an alert system in place to enable us track new cases whenever it happens.

He further stated that "Mr. Governor, I am happy that no new notification from Niger State since the last one. We commend the state government proactive measures in handling the situation. Niger State is now on top of the situation," the Minister commended. He however said that all hands should be on deck to sustain the current status by ensuring that his ministry is promptly notified of any strange death or disease stressing that "every life counts and every death also counts".

Adewole blamed the current outbreak on failure in communication and notification system in the country. He cited the case of Niger State where it took months of the outbreak before his ministry was notified.

The Niger State governor, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso called for incorporation of traditional health-care healers into the National Primary Health Care Delivery Policy. He said the need for their inclusion has become necessary being the first health-care giver, the rural dwellers consult. The Governor Commended the Federal government quick response to the suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever in Fuka ward of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

Earlier the Commissioner for Health and Health Services, Dr. Mustapha Jibril said, despite the delay in notification and willingness of the people to give information, the Government swung into action with Federal Government, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other relevant agencies to nip the disease in the bud.

The Minister and his entourage later paid a fact finding visit to the affected community.

The Minister of Health, Professor Issac Adewole on Wednesday said that the suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever in the country has been brought under control. He also commended the Niger State Government for been proactive in handling the outbreak of the disease in the state. Niger State was one of the 10 States alleged to have been affected by the disease.

The Minister who was in Minna, Niger State capital on surveillance and nationwide fact finding on the outbreak of Lassa Fever told the Niger Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello that despite the high rate of fatality in the last few months, efforts by all stake-holders in the country have brought the scourge of the disease under control.

"A nationwide alert system is on to track the disease. Except for the case in Plateau, no person-to-person or hospital acquired infection has been recorded. So far, things are under control but the state and local government should put an alert system in place to enable us track new cases whenever it happens.

He further stated that "Mr. Governor, I am happy that no new notification from Niger State since the last one. We commend the state government proactive measures in handling the situation. Niger State is now on top of the situation," the Minister commended. He however said that all hands should be on deck to sustain the current status by ensuring that his ministry is promptly notified of any strange death or disease stressing that "every life counts and every death also counts".

Adewole blamed the current outbreak on failure in communication and notification system in the country. He cited the case of Niger State where it took months of the outbreak before his ministry was notified.

The Niger State governor, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso called for incorporation of traditional health-care healers into the National Primary Health Care Delivery Policy. He said the need for their inclusion has become necessary being the first health-care giver, the rural dwellers consult. The Governor Commended the Federal government quick response to the suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever in Fuka ward of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

Earlier the Commissioner for Health and Health Services, Dr. Mustapha Jibril said, despite the delay in notification and willingness of the people to give information, the Government swung into action with Federal Government, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other relevant agencies to nip the disease in the bud.

The Minister and his entourage later paid a fact finding visit to the affected community.

Read more at: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/203289/lassa-fever-now-under-controlhealth-minister-assures.html