The Ogun State Commissioner of
Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, disclosed that the state recorded first death on lassa fever at a press conference in Abeokuta. The victim died on Sunday,
and Government has contacted the deceased family
for approval to bury the victim based
on WHO protocol.
Mr. Ipaye said the 28-year-old victim
was admitted into the isolation unit of
the Olabisi Onabanjo University
Teaching Hospital, which was
specifically equipped, staffed and
funded by the state government to
manage confirmed cases of Lassa
fever.
“The patient received a nine-day
course of Ribavirin, potent antibiotics,
appropriate blood transfusions and
necessary psychosocial support.
“We were only waiting to celebrate the
completion of medication today and
take a blood sample to confirm cure
when unexpected complication set in
yesterday, Saturday the 13th February,
2016,” He said.
Mr. Ipaye advised Ogun residents not
to panic because of the death. He said
none of the 121 primary contacts with
the deceased have shown any signs of
the deadly fever.
“The first 10 days of active
surveillance on these contacts have
been free of any suspected case and we
hope to keep daily communication and
visits with these contact in the next 11
days to make up the longest
incubation period of 21 days,” he said.
The commissioner said the second person diagnosed
with lassa fever in the state was still under care. He
said the 12 weeks pregnant victim had recovered
from initial fatigue, body weakness and depression.
“Like the first case, she also travelled into Abeokuta
from Kogi State. As a responsible government we
have taken full responsibility for her care and she
has been on medication with ribavirin for three
days now.
“We have been in contact with her family members
and presently have mounted active surveillance on
the 60 primary contacts of this patient,” he said.
The commissioner implored care providers to alert
the Department of Public Health of the State
Ministry of Health or the Local Government Area
Health Departments closest to them of any suspected
case.
Lassa fever is caused by by rats.
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