Zika Virus: Minister Dismisses Fear of Possible Outbreak Of Virus

The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole,  has stated that the possible outbreak of Zika virus in Nigeria is at its minimal, saying that there is no cause for alarm. He added that the current out break of Lassa fever in the country in under control.

“It is important that I inform the nation that this current outbreak of Lassa Fever  is under control as evident by decline in new suspected cases, new laboratory confirmed cases and newly reported cases by week.

“You will all recall that on January  8, 2016, I briefed the nation on the current outbreak of Lassa fever that started in December 2015 and which has now affected 20 states of the federation. As of today, Nigeria has recorded 176 cases with 108 deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 61.4 per cent.

“Despite this achievement ,however, you will all agree with me that it will be too dangerous for us as a nation to go complacent at this stage.

“Although two African countries have reported Zika infection in the recent outbreak and in the past many others, causal relationship between Zika virus infection, birth defect and neurological syndromes have not been established in this continent.

“Nigerian scientist working in Western Nigeria in 1954 discovered Zika Virus in Nigeria. Further studies in the years 1975 to 1979 show that 40 per cent of Nigerian adults and 25 percent of Nigerian children have antibodies to Zika Virus, meaning they are protected against this virus.” Adewole said.