One case of Lassa fever has been confirmed in Lagos. The case, which was diagnosed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, involves a 25-year-old student from the Ahmadu Bello University.
The patient is said to have been admitted first at a private hospital in Ojokoro area of Lagos State.
According to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, the patient is responding to treatment.
The death of a Lassa Fever victim at the National Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital, had brought the total number of deaths to 43 in the country, from 10 states.
Announcing the death at the National Hospital on Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, called on Health workers at all levels to be more vigilant and look out for patients with symptoms of Lassa Fever.
The Minister advised residents of affected states 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 and vomiting among others.
He cautioned that self-medication should be avoided at this period.
Medical practitioners at the Lassa Fever Research Centre at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, have said that Lassa fever has been spreading in the country because authorities have not given the disease the attention it requires.
Asides highlighting funding as a big challenge, an officials of the foremost and only Lassa fever research institute in the country, asked the government to set up more diagnostic centres across the country.
“Since 2007, we have been making a case repeatedly for the establishment of centres of this nature in the other geopolitical zones or health zones in the country because Nigeria is a vast country.
“You don’t want a situation where patients with viral haemorrhagic fevers – Lassa fever are managed in ordinary wards and facilities. You want dedicated facilities for them.
“As we speak, sadly, I am not aware that these centre have attained any stage for replication elsewhere in the country,” said Professor George Akpede.
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