January 27, 2016 – Lagos State Government today said that a 27-year-old resident has died of Lassa fever bringing to 3, the total number of those now dead from the affliction.
It added that the number of those the state is tracing having had contact with infected person has increased to 537.
Meantime, the Federal Government has deployed personnel to Lagos, to assist in tracing those who had contacts either with the deceased or others who have tested positive to the virus.
Confirming the death, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris lamented that all cases recorded in the state were residents who contacted the virus during their short stint in other states were the virus was prevalent.
“The last confirmed case was a 27 years old Lady, who travelled to Edo State on December 24 2015 and returned to Lagos on January 2, 2016. She became ill on January 14, 2016 and received care in one private hospital and three churches before she was referred on January 23, 2016 to Ijede General Hospital in Ikorodu Local Government.
“At the hospital, she was diagnosed of fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and body weakness. It is pathetic that the patient died within a few hours of admission. The case was confirmed as Lassa Fever on January 26, 2016 after proper test was carried on her blood sample.
“The remains of the patient has been kept in the morgue in leak proof body bag. She is to be buried after due consultation with her family,” he added.
The commissioner however noted that 90 persons have been line-listed as contacts of the last confirmed case as at January 26, 2016 and that contact tracing was on-going.
“The ministry has line-listed 537 contacts of the confirmed cases and 534 (99%) of the contacts are currently being monitored.
“Also, the initial drugs used in the treatment of the patients (especially the first patient), were sent by the Apex government to us (Lagos). This has adequately helped.”
The commissioner however warned that “health is on the concurrent list; the federal government can only give us technical supports. It is our responsibility to monitor whatever happens in our domain.
