ABOUT 24 persons have been reported killed by Lassa fever in Bauchi State from 2012 till date.

Briefing newsmen on the state of Lassa fever in the state following the recent outbreak in some states, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Bauchi, Dr. Saidu Aliyu Gital said that 71 cases were reported from 2012 to 2016.

Meanwhile, as fear continue to spread among the people of Benue State over the scourge of the fever in neighboring states of Nassarawa and Taraba, the state government has urged the people of the state not to panic as it has put in place measures to prevent possible epidemic in the state.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo, who gave the re-assurance at the weekend after a meeting with the Rapid Response Team, RRT, said the team set up is capable of preventing the spread of the fever in the state.

Gital further explained that forty survived with one critical case currently in the hospital while twenty were confirmed and tested positive of the virus.

According to him, the state ministry has constituted a rapid response team for all epidemic-prone disease including Lassa fever with officials from State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, (ATBUTH) World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international agencies working in the state.

The commissioner revealed that the state has an existing case management or treatment centre at the ATBUTH, which is used for routine collection of blood samples on behalf of National Lassa fever Treatment Centre at Irrua in Edo State.

He said the Ministry would embark on awareness campaign to sensitize the public on preventive measures at the community level.