Lassa Fever: One Confirmed Dead in Lagos

The Lagos State government on Friday, confirmed that the deadly Lassa Fever, has taken away the life of a 51-year old man in the state.The state government further added that 438 others have been placed under surveillance.Making this known, the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr Jide Idris at a press conference noted that besides the first case of Lassa Fever in the state, two other people have been tested positive for the disease out of which one has died at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba.Dr Idris further noted that out of the 14 suspected cases in the state, three tested positive to Lassa Fever, while eight had tested negative, with the result of three others still being awaited.The Heath Commissioner also added that the suspected cases were discovered in Orile General Hospital, Ahmadiyya Hospital, Alimosho, Mushin, Amuwo, Eti-Osa, Mainland General Hospital.According to Dr Idris, “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 the 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.“The remains of the patient had been kept in the morgue in a leak proof bag.“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.“At Ifako-Ijaiye, out of 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. Only one person is listed and monitored in Kosofe General Hospital.“In the second case, 66 listed contacts line were under surveillance while a total of 220 contacts line were monitored in Mainland General Hospital.”