The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Rufus Ebegba has enjoined the general public to be alert over the outbreak of Lassa fever virus in some states of the country. “The agency is working assiduously with sister agencies to ensure that the spread of Lassa fever and any other disease caused by a biological agent is contained and not allowed to cause any more harm to humans and the environment”. Its symptoms include difficulty in breathing, fever and coughing and can lead to organ failure, pneumonia and death. Dr Ebegba said with the creation of the new Biosecurity department, the NBMA will collaborate with line Agencies and stakeholders to ensure that harmful Biological agents are contained and eliminated. He assured Nigerians that the NBMA will not rest on its oars in the bid to ensure that humans and the environment are safe.

Source: Nigerian Tribune January 27, 2020 15:22 UTC