Lassa Fever Hits Nigeria’s Capital, One Dead

SAN FRANCISCO, January 13, (THEWILL) – Nigeria's capital Abuja has recorded its first Lassa fever case and the victim is dead.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who announced the development in a statement Wednesday, said the victim died at National Hospital, Abuja.

He urged all Health workers at all levels to be more vigilant and look out for patients with symptoms of Lassa fever.

The Minister has 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 Medical Director of the Hospital Dr Jack Momoh, who briefed the Minister on Wednesday 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. The 33 year old newly married 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 the deadly fever brings the total number of deaths to 43, spread across 10 states.