Minister of Health Isaac Adewole told a news conference late on Friday that the casualties were recorded in 10 states of the federation.

Adewole advised communities to improve on their hygiene, including food hygiene and food protection practices.

He also urged the public to avoid contact with rodents and rats as well as food contaminated with rat`s secretions and excretions.

The minister said affected states have been advised to intensify awareness on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

According to him, the affected states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo.

He said the ministry had ordered for the immediate release of adequate quantities of ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, to the affected states for prompt treatment of cases.

Adewole added that the ministry deployed rapid response teams to all affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts.

He said also clinicians and relevant health care workers had been sensitized and mobilized in areas of patient management and care in the affected states.

Besides, he advised family members and health care workers to always be careful and avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons infected by the disease.

He also directed health facilities in the country to emphasize routine infection prevention and control measures and ensure that all Lassa fever patients are treated free.

Adewole said Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa fever, adding that all the cases reported so far were confirmed by our laboratories.

The first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November 2015. In 2012, Lassa fever claimed more than 40 lives in 12 states across Nigeria.

More about: