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Rat poison sales boom in Nigeria over Lassa fever fears

Sales of rat poison have taken off in Nigeria following an outbreak of Lassa fever that has left at least 76 people dead and sparked fears of contagion across the country. In the northern city of Kano, the capital of one of 17 states where the haemorrhagic virus has been recorded, there have been “unprecedented” purchases of the pest control product. The head of the city's chemicals traders, Shehu Idris Bichi, said sales have have increased four-fold since the outbreak was first announced earlier this month.

UN urges new Nigerian president to prosecute Boko Haram crimes

GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations' top human rights official called on Nigeria's new President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate and prosecute “horrifying” allegations of executions, rape and amputations of children by Islamist insurgents Boko Haram. Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein also said reports of violations committed by Nigerian armed forces should be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. “Civilians in northeast Nigeria have been living through horrifying acts of cruelty and violence by Boko Haram. …

African Union pledges Ebola fund, as Oxfam calls for ‘Marshall Plan’

The African Union plans to launch an Ebola Solidarity Fund, officials said Wednesday, as aid agency Oxfam warned the continent's leaders needed to keep their promises to boost healthcare. Oxfam called for a “massive post-Ebola Marshall Plan”, referring to the United States aid package to rebuild Europe after World War Two. “This disaster might have been avoided if African governments had made free public health care and spent more on their health systems, under the commitment they made 14 years ago in the Abuja Declaration,” Oxfam said in a statement. “It's clear that Africa’s existing architecture for early disease detection, response and control is wholly inadequate,” Oxfam added, calling for the AU to approve its own plans for an African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.