Mainland Hospital Yaba

Kazeem Ugbodaga

The deadly Lassa Fever has claimed the life of a 51-year old man in Lagos, while 438 others have been placed under surveillance, says the Lagos State Government.

The government said asides the first case of Lassa Fever in the state, two other people have been tested positive to the disease out of which one has died at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris at a press conference this evening in Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria gave an update on the Lassa fever. He revealed that a total of 447 contacts with the victims of Lassa Fever had been established, out of which 438 of them had been placed under surveillance.

He said out of the 14 suspected cases in Lagos, three had been tested positive to Lassa Fever while eight had tested negative as the result of three others were still being awaited,

According to Idris, the suspected cases were discovered in Orile General Hospital, Ahmadiyya Hospital, Alimosho, Mushin, Amuwo, Eti-Osa, Mainland General Hospital.

He disclosed that aside the case of the 25-year-old undergraduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, there was another 51-year-old man who lived in Ilasan, Lekki who just came back from Edo State.

“A 51 year old man who lived in Ilasan, Lekki came back from Edo where he attended a wedding ceremony on December 28, 2015. He was initially admitted at Divine Medical Centre in Ikoyi on January 12, 2016 and referred to Mainland Hospital Yaba early January 18, 2016. The patient died at 2pm same day before the result of the laboratory test that confirmed him positive of Lassa fever was received.”

He added that the remains of the patient had been kept in the morgue in a leak proof bag. “He is to be buried today (Friday) after due consultation with the family,” he added.

Idris said the second fresh case, which is the third to be recorded in the state involved a 36-year-old lady of Kogi State origin.

“The case first presented at Naval Reference Hospital Ojo, on January 18, 2016 and referred to Mainland Hospital later same day. The patient is being managed at Mainland Hospital and has received antiviral medication for five days. Her condition is stable and she is ambulating,” he said.

At Ifako-Ijaiye, Idris added that out 100 contacts line of the first case listed, 91 of them are being monitored.

“In Mushin Hospital, all the 18 contact listed also are being monitored. Also 42 contacts listed in Alimosho General Hospitals are also being monitored according to the Commissioner, who also said only one person are listed and monitored in Kosofe General Hospital,” he said.

In the second case, Idris said 66 listed contacts line were under surveillance while a total of 220 contacts line were monitored in Mainland General Hospital.

The commissioner appealed to members of the public and health workers to report any case or symptoms of persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health facility or call the following lines:, 08037170614, 08022234273, 0802224176808033065303, 08033086660, 08055281442 and 08023169485.

“We wish to emphasize the need for the citizenry to follow the general health promotion and disease prevention measures highlighted below: basic environmental sanitation, including proper disposal of refuse, avoiding open defecation, regular hand washing with soap and water, maintaining personal hygiene, adequate nutrition, antenatal care for pregnant women, immunization of children against deadly vaccine preventable childhood diseases, regular medical check-ups towards ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

“In addition, all health workers are enjoined to comply strictly with infection control measures and processes while providing health care to the people. The Lagos State Government, under the proactive leadership of the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is determined to continue provision of quality, affordable and accessible health care to the good people of the State,” he said.