Edo State At Alert As Lassa Fever Claims 3 Lives In Benue.

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Lassa fever has claimed 3 lives, including that of  two pregnant women in Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue state.

Speaking before news men, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo stated that the victims who died on Thursday have since been buried.

As a precautionary method to prevent further spread of the disease, the deceased were wrapped in sealed cellophane bags before being buried. Family members of the deceased where warned not to open the bags containing the body to avoid further spread of the virus.

Ojabo further stated that health personnel have been stationed around the community to enforce compliance with the instruction given; the corpse where to remain in the cellophane so as not to contaminate the environment, there should be no tampering with the remains even after the burial.

Selected personnel from the Benue Ministry of Health has also been  assigned to place any known relatives who had physical contact with the deceased under close  monitoring, looking out for any signs they have been infected with the virus.

The Commissioner for Health in Edo State, Dr. David Osifo also speaking on the matter, explained that the State is cooperating with the management of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital to cut down the spread of Lassa fever.

Osifo reiterating their collaboration effort to combat the spread, mentioned that the State has purchased two dialysis machines and other  medical equipment to boost treatment in the hospital.

The commissioner further stated that about 45 persons who have been infected with the disease are responding to treatment, while those known to have been in contact with them are under close observation. The State is also alert to immediately respond to any new cases which may be reported.

Blaming the high rate of the disease to lack of adequate facilities to handle the number of sufferers currently receiving treatment.

In a similar vein, the Chairman of the Osun State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Tokunbo Olajumoke stated that one death has been reported in the State and about 20 persons, who had contact with the deceased while receiving treatment at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, had been placed under surveillance to look out for symptoms.

Olajumoke also mentioned that another set of  20 persons, who had contact with the same patient when he was in Ondo State, were also being monitored.

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Lassa fever is a life threatening, often fatal viral disease, which is usually transmitted to humans through infected rats.
The incubation period is between 6–21 days, with symptoms starting from a fever, progressing to  headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain. In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure set in. Death usually occurs within 14 days of onset in fatal cases (ref: World Health Organization).