The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Iya has confirmed that four persons have lost their lives to Lassa fever outbreak  out of the 16 suspected cases recorded in the state.

The Commissioner explained that the index case for the current outbreak was recorded in November 2016 and died a day later, while the three others with confirmed cases died between Jan. 13 and 15.

He said “The last three victims were discovers to be relatives of the index case, 36 others, who had contact with the victims are being followed up.”

Iya said the state rapid response team for disease outbreaks had stepped up sensitization campaigns for health workers on their index of suspicion to check the spread of the disease.

The commissioner, however,   encouraged health workers in the state to always follow standard procedures in taking care of patients in the hospital and urged members of the public to report cases of the fever promptly to the nearest hospital.