Lassa fever kills 2 medical doctors, 2 others in Plateau

By Blessing Odega

The Plateau government two medical doctors among four fatalities out of the the six cases of Lassa fever recorded in the state.

Dr Nicholas Baamlong, Commissioner for Health in Plateau made this known at a press briefing on Friday in Jos.

He said that out of the fatalities, one was a doctor and one of the patients is also a doctor who contracted the disease from an infected patient.

According to him, the confirmed cases were reported in Jos South, Jos North, Qua’an Pan, Wase, Shendam, and Mangu Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Baamlong said the patients were currently being treated and the ministry has commenced an active contact tracing and surveillance in line with the national and international public health protocols.

According to him, lassa fever is a disease caused by a virus which was transmitted by rats or close contact with an infected person.

He said the disease was also transmitted via an individual coming in contact with an infected person’s blood , urine , stool or vomit.

Other ways of contacting the disease include consumption of food or water contaminated by rat’s urine or faeces, unsafe burial practices of an infected person, caring for an infected person without protection.

The Commissioner said the symptoms of the disease were headaches and body weakness, and when a person with fever and is not responding to malaria drugs, vomiting or diarrhea and bleeding from the mouth, nose ( in severe cases).

He cautioned people on the need to maintain a high level of hygiene, by ensuring that their environments are kept clean to discourage the rodents from entering their homes.

He further urged people to ensure that all food stuffs and grains were stored in rodent proof containers and water stored should be covered to prevent contamination.

Baamlong also tasked clinicians to ensure that they observe standard infection prevention and control measures when handling suspected cases of the virus in order to prevent clinical infection.

The Commissioner further urged residents to promptly report any suspected case of lassa fever to the nearest healthcare facility.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Plateau residents as it had provided the needed drugs for the treatment of the disease and also personal protective gears for health workers.

The State Ministry of Health has commenced public awareness campaigns and community health education on the disease. (NAN)