Outbreak of Lassa fever in Abuja, one death recorded

Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has recorded its first casualty of the Lassa fever.

One person has been reported dead as a result of the disease at the National Hospital Abuja. This has increased the number of death recorded since the outbreak of the disease in August 2015 to 43 nationwide.

Isaac Adewole, minister of health, confirmed the death just 24 hours after he announced that there was no new case of Lassa fever in the country in the last 72 hours. The victim was said to have come in from Plateau State.

Reacting to the outbreak, Adewole charged health workers on the need to be more vigilant and look out for symptoms of Lassa fever.

According to a statement signed by Boade Akinola, the health ministry’s director of press, the minister has also directed all primary and secondary contacts of the victim to be tracked, including staff of the private hospital in Kubwa.

The statement reads: “The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole has announced the death of one confirmed Lassa fever victim at National Hospital Abuja. The minister, who made the announcement at the National Hospital Abuja this evening also called on health workers at all levels to be more vigilant and look out for patients with symptoms of Lassa fever.

“The minister has directed that all primary and secondary contacts of the victim should be tracked, including the staff of the private hospital in Kubua where the deceased was first managed for one week and subsequently became unconscious before referral to National Hospital.

“He also advised that family members should report at the nearest hospital if anyone has fever for more than two days.”

The minister, however, called on the residents of Abuja not to panic but to maintain high level vigilance and present themselves for test if they feel unhealthy or they feel symptoms of Lassa fever, which include high fever, stooling, tiredness, vomiting, etc., adding that self-medication should be avoided at this period.

Jack Momoh, the medical director of the hospital, who briefed the minister on Wednesday evening during his visit to National Hospital, said the patient was brought in unconscious from a private hospital in Kubwa, where he was admitted for eight days.

The 33-year-old newly married lived in Jos, Plateau State, but came to see a family member in Kubwa because of his illness. He however died within 24 hours of presentation at the National Hospital.

The latest death from Lassa fever brings the total number of deaths to 43 in the country (from 10 states).