Skip to main content

Taraba stakeholders seek discovery of Lassa fever vaccine

 



Inability of world leaders to come up with vaccines to eradicate Lassa fever in Africa 52 years after its outbreak has become a source of concern to stakeholders in Taraba State.

A forum organised at the weekend by the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, and facilitated by Kinestic Integrated Project Limited on Lassa fever public awareness, cited the way resources were mobilised to discover vaccines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), wondering why same effort could not be put towards Lassa fever eradication.

The stakeholders, who unanimously agreed to tread extra legitimate paths to curb the spread of the disease in their various domains and in the state at large, urged medical experts in the country and the world at large to begin the process of coming out with a vaccine that would help in eradicating the disease.

Shocked that between 100,000 and 300,000 Lassa fever cases were recorded yearly in West Africa, the stakeholders made up of traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups, farmers and others urged stakeholders in other parts of the country to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in Taraba by working round the clock to frustrate the spread of the ‘dry season’ disease.

Addressing the stakeholders on the causes and preventive measures against the disease, the lead discussant, Dr. Garba Danjuma, said that with all hands on deck, “Federal Government’s dream of curbing the spread of the disease is achievable.”

The Director-General, Taraba Agency for the Control of AIDS (TACA), said the need to engage with communities to promote desired health practices and behavioural change could not be over-emphasised to stamp out the disease from the state.

Taking the stakeholders through the history of the disease, which, according to him was discovered in 1969 in Lassa town of Borno State, Danjuma enthused that with all hands on deck, the yearly reoccurrence of the disease would soon be a thing of the past

On her part, the Chief Medical Director of FMC, Jalingo, Dr. Aisha Adamu, said the event was sponsored by the Federal Government through the FMC, added that the event was part of the hospital’s 2020 projects.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taraba Governor Approves Cabinet Reshuffle, Redeploys Four Commissioners

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the immediate redeployment of four Commissioners serving in the State Executive Council as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The redeployment, contained in a press release dated August 26, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., affects four ministries. Under the new arrangement, Hon. Peter George moves from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, while Hon. Daniel Ishaku is redeployed from Water Management and Aquatic Affairs to the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation. Also affected are Hon. Bernard Shonzen James Kassa, who moves from the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services, and Hon. Philip Habu James, who is redeployed from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jukun militia kills five Tiv farmers, injures woman in fresh attack

In Spite of interventions by stakeholders to broker peace between the Tiv and Jukun in Benue and Taraba states, five persons have been killed in fresh attacks on Gyenku in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The Guardian learnt that the Jukun attacked farms to kill the victims.Confirming the incidence, Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Council, Tor-Tyokaa Iberlogo said five persons were killed on their farms, while a woman was seriously injured and is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. On what becomes of the peace committee set up by Benue and Taraba states governments to ensure lasting peace and security in both states, Iberlogo said members of the committee would visit him next Monday for briefing. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, DSP Sewuese Anene, said all efforts to get details from the Ukum Council Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Police Area Command failed. It would be recalled that the incidence took p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Taraba Government: Curfew Relaxed by Two Hours

The fourteen hours curfew imposed by the Taraba State Government on Jalingo metropolis and surrounding villages at the wake of the fulani herdsmen evasion of some communities has been relaxed by two hours. This was contained in a press release signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor, Mr. Iliya Bekyu Akweh. Accordingly, the approved timing of the curfew is now 6pm to 6am as against the initial 4pm to 6pm daily. To this end, the state government is again appealing to the security agencies in the state to ensure enforcement of the curfew. Residents of Jalingo the state’s capital and surrounding villages especially those at the areas affected by the crisis are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance.
Post a Comment
Read more