One Dead, 22 Under Surveillance As Lassa fever Arrive Delta

A 65-year-old lady (name withheld) from Ifiogwari village, Ayamelunu, Anambra State who came for treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State has been confirmed dead, as she was first admitted at St. Joseph’s Hospital before she was referred to Federal Medical Centre when her conditioned worsened.

This was contained in a press release yesterday by the Public

Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Churchill Oyowe in the Ministry of Health

and made available to journalists in Asaba.
Oyowe disclosed that the case was confirmed at the virology

laboratory, Specialist Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, while two other

samples sent to the same laboratory tested negative.

The statement revealed that, “The Delta State Rapid Response Team said

it has placed 22 persons who had contact with the confirmed case on

surveillance, while five samples have been sent for laboratory

investigation”.
The Ministry noted that State Government has already informed the

Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja on these developments and the State

Governor, Dr IfeanyiOkowa has provided the necessary logistics to

enhance contact tracing and other control mechanism.

Lassa fever is caused by a virus found in the urine and faeces of a

species of rat when they contaminate food or water or come in contact

with broken skin of humans.
Infected persons spread the disease when their body fluids such as

blood, faeces, urine, sperm and vomit come in contact with others.

Some signs and symptoms of Lassa fever infection include cold and

fever, sore throat, headache, pains in different parts of the body,

nausea, cough, diarrhoea and general sense of being unwell.

Severe stage of the infection comes with swellings on the face and

hand, bleeding in different parts of the body such as ears, mouth,

nose, anus and virginal.
Residents are advised to maintain a high level of personal and

environmental hygiene, keep their food and water away from rats and

promptly report any one with the above signs and symptoms to the

nearest health centre or hospital.