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The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has revealed that over 40 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak of the deadly viral disease in Nigeria and it has affected about 10 state in Nigeria which are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo state.

He described Lassa fever as an acute haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arena- virus.

“It is a zoonotic disease, which means that humans get the disease when they come in contact with animals that serve as reservoir of the virus.

“They are transmitted mainly from contacts with food and household items contaminated with the faeces and urine of the rodent.

“The rodent is the Mastomy (Multi-mammary gland) rat which serves as a reservoir of the virus,” Deyin said.

“In the last six weeks Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever outbreak which so far has affected 10 states in the country. The states affected include Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo state. The total number so far reported is 86 and 40 deaths with the mortality rate of 45%. Our laboratories have confirmed 22 cases so far, indicative of a new round trip of Lassa fever outbreak,” he said.