January 14, 2016 – Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole today confirmed the outbreak Lassa fever in Abuja. He said that the first victim of the ailment died at the 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 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.
The Medical Director of the Hospital Dr Jack Momoh who briefed the minister this evening during his visit to National Hospital, said that the patient was brought in unconscious from a Private Hospital in Kubua where he was admitted for 8 days.
He identified the victim as a 33 year old newly married who lived in Jos Plateau but came to see a family member in Kubua because of his illness. He however died within 24hours 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).
