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Tag: Lassa fever

  • Lassa fever: Ondo govt trains 54 surveillance officers, informants

    The Ondo State government yesterday concluded the training of surveillance officers and informants to contain the spread of Lassa fever in the 18 local government areas.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 54 participants were trained in Akure, the state capital, with three drawn from each  local government area.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Dr Taiye Oni said it was necessary for the state to build the capacity of the trainees for effective service delivery.

    Oni, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Ayodele Adelusi, said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) approved the training to combat outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

    Oni said the trainees would function as Disease Notification Officers to alert appropriate authorities of any strange manifestation of illnesses in their areas.

    He said: “These are the people to let us know if there is any strange development or outbreak because we cannot be everywhere, every time.

    “These are the people across the state and they are not for Lassa fever alone but other diseases as well.”

    The permanent secretary noted that the trainees would also be responsible for sensitisation and proper orientation of residents at the grassroots.

    Also, the state’s Epidemiologist, Dr Waheed Afolayan said the trainees were important, considering their role in enhancing health care delivery throughout the state.

  • Lassa fever: Ondo launches clean-up operation

    Lassa fever: Ondo launches clean-up operation

    The Ondo State Government says it has increased the level of health awareness campaign to prevent the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, tagged operation “kill all rats, stay in hygienic environment”.

    Dr Olumide Akadiri, the Chief Medical Director, Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Okitipupa.

    Akadiri said the increased awareness and enlightenment campaign, followed the recent re-occurrence of the outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country, hence, the launch of operation “kill all rats, stay in hygienic environment”.

    He said that the hospital medical team had mobilised other health officers at the Okitipupa Council, to raise the level of awareness of the people in the locality to the recurrence of Lassa fever.

    Kadiri, who maintained that no case of Lassa fever had been reported in the state, explained that the awareness campaign was a proactive measure to prevent the disease through education of the people on the need to maintain a healthy environment and life style.

    NAN reports that Lassa fever is caused by Lassa virus found in infected rats with many breasts (multimate rat) named Mastonys Matalensis.

    He said: “We heard about the re-occurrence of Lassa fever in some states but we have not recorded any case here.

    “We launched an awareness team that goes to all communities in this council to declare total war on rats and ensure they live in a

    hygienic environment at all times.

    “I also implore residents to always cover their foodstuffs very well and ensure they throw away leftovers which usually are baits to contact the disease.”

    Akadiri list some signs and symptoms of Lassa fever to include fever, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, bloody diarrhoea, cough, headache, abdominal pain and bleeding from the nose, mouth, ears and eyes.

    He advised residents with signs of malaria or any of the listed symptoms to report to the nearest general hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

  • Lassa fever contacts increased to 106 in Ogun, says Ipaye

    Lassa fever contacts increased to 106 in Ogun, says Ipaye

    The Ogun State Government on Sunday said that the number of suspected contacts of the Lassa fever had risen to 106.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, who disclosed this in a telephone interview, however, allayed the fear of the public

    He said that the state government was putting in place necessary measures to contain the spread.

    Ipaye had on Friday disclosed that no fewer than 66 persons had had contact with the patient.

    NAN reports that a 22-year-old male patient (name withheld) had on Thursday been placed under medical observation at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta over Lassa fever infection.

    Ipaye said all the contacts had  been given thermometers to measure their temperature, with health and surveillance officers of the state government deployed to monitor them daily for 21 days.

    “You don’t take Lassa fever contacts to isolation centre; you only monitor their level of temperature. It is not like the Ebola disease where you take contacts to isolation centres.

    “Initially we had 66 contacts when I briefed you on Friday. Between then and now, we have additional 40 contacts. So, now, we are monitoring 106 contacts.

    The commissioner, however, noted that not all contacts that met the patient during his travel to the hospital had been established.

    “All the 66 were care-providers in all the hospitals that he had been treated. We also had to go to his house to decontaminate it. So, everybody that lives around there is a primary contact one way or the other; just to play safe.

    “We have to monitor their temperature for 21 days. That was what we did for over 1,800 people we followed the other time. We had to monitor their temperature minimum of twice daily – morning and evening.

    “And the contacts must come up to tell us the reading immediately. We have given all of them thermometers and we have taught them how to measure temperature.

    “So, when we call them they will tell us what the temperature is in the morning and in the evening and they will  do this for 21 days. If after 21 days there is no fever of any type, then that patient is discharged from our contacts.

    “But if there is fever, we will take him and put him in an isolated place and do the test quickly. So, if the test is negative we will discharge him. If the test is positive, then we start treating the person.

    “But we do not have any problem for now,” Ipaye said.

  • Lassa fever contacts in Ogun hits 106

    Lassa fever contacts in Ogun hits 106

    Ogun State government on Sunday  disclosed that the number of suspected contacts of the victim of Lassa fever in the state has risen from initial 66 to to 106.
    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, who made this known to reporters on phone, however allayed the fears of residents, saying adequate measure have been  taken to contain its spread.
    A male patient was Thursday placed on observation at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta over Lassa fever infection but in giving an update about the case on Sunday Ipaye said all the contacts have been given thermometers to monitor their temperature.
    According to him, the health and surveillance officers of the state government have also been deployed to closely watch them daily for 21 days.
     “You don’t take Lassa fever contacts to isolation centre, you only monitor their level of temperature. It’s unlike the Ebola disease where you take contacts to isolation centres.
    “Initially we had 66 contacts when I briefed you (on Friday). Between then and now, we have additional 40 contacts. So, now, we are monitoring 106 contacts.
    “You will recall that we have not established the contacts that met him (the patient) during his travel to the hospital. All the 66 were care-providers in all the hospitals that he’s been treated. We also had to go to his house to decontaminate it. So, everybody that lives around there are primary contacts one way or the other; just to play safe.
    “We have to monitor their temperature for 21 days. That was what we did for over 1,800 people we followed the other time. We had to monitor their temperature minimum of twice daily – morning and evening. And the contacts must come up to tell us the reading immediately. We have given all of them thermometers and we have taught them how to measure temperature.
    “So, when we call them they would tell us what the temperature was in the morning and the evening and they would do this for 21 days. If after 21 days there is no fever of any type, then that patient is discharged away from our contacts.
    “But if there is fever, we would take him and put him in an isolation place and do the test quickly. So, if the test is negative we discharge him. If the test is positive, then we start treating the person. But we don’t have any problem for now,” Ipaye said.
  • Lassa Fever : One tests positive in Ogun

    Lassa Fever : One tests positive in Ogun

    A patient at the  State General Hospital, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has been placed under close observation on suspicion of suffering from the deadly and contagious Lassa Fever disease.
    The 22 years old male patient whose identity is not yet to be disclosed, has tested positive to the virus that causes Lassa Fever  and the  young man was said to have just returned from Lagos with feverish symptoms.
    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, told journalists on phone that the patient is already being monitored.
    “He is resident here (Abeokuta), but, he travelled  to Lagos and returned with fever.
    “He is currently at the state  General hospital Ijaye where he is under medical observation .
    “We have carried out the first test. The first sample was positive. It shows some reactions, we need to do another confirmatory test has to be done.
    “We are doing everything to see whether it is a confirmed case . The patient’s  temperature was high, but, today, it has reduced considerably.
    “By tomorrow, we should be able to confirm whether it is Lassa fever or not. Meanwhile, the patient has been isolated,” Ipaye said.
    The commissioner however said the government has begun preventive measures against the infection .
    Two persons, including a 36-year-old pregnant woman, have reportedly died of Lassa Fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos while about 100 different health workers are currently under close observation in the same hospital.
  • ABC of Lassa fever

    ABC of Lassa fever

    The ‘multimammate rat’ called Mastomys natalensis which has many breasts and lives in the bush and around residential areas is the reservoir host of Lassa fever.

    The virus is shed in the urine and droppings of the rats, hence can be transmitted through direct contact, touching objects or eating food contaminated with these materials or through cuts or sores.

    The onset of the disease is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, muscle and joint pains, prostration and malaise.

    After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough and abdominal pain may follow.

    “In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop; shock, seizures, tremor, disorientation and coma and death may be seen in the later stages.

  • Lassa fever: LUTH calls for precautionary measures

    Lassa fever: LUTH calls for precautionary measures

    The management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, on Wednesday, advised Nigerians to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Lassa fever.

    The Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, gave this advice while briefing journalists on the Lassa fever cases in the institution.

    Bode said: “There is no panic; the Lassa fever disease is being contained and all the stakeholders are working hard to make sure that it doesn’t spread.

    “However, we should all be involved collectively and individually to stop further spread of this disease.

    “I urge us to prevent our food items from being contaminated by rats and rat droppings and urine.

    “Do not spread your food outside in the open; put food items in rat proof containers so that rats will not get access to the food.”

    The CMD also said personal and environmental hygiene were critical measures against Lassa fever.

    He said medical and health workers should adequately protect themselves and be vigilant.

    “To all doctors, nurses and health workers who assist patients, we should have a heightened sense of awareness that few cases of Lassa fever have been noticed.

    “If you see anybody with symptoms that will suggest Lassa fever, let us refer them promptly because this disease can be treated.

    “Nigeria can combat such situations. We have  done so before and we came out clean and stronger, so we should all collectively work to together to ensure that we do it again,’’ Bode added.

    NAN

     

  • Lassa fever: Four quarantined in Yobe Hospital, says Commissioner

    Lassa fever: Four quarantined in Yobe Hospital, says Commissioner

    Four people are being quarantined for clinical analysis in Yobe over suspected case of Lassa fever, Dr Bello Kawuwa, the state Commissioner for Health said on Wednesday.

    Kawuwa told newsmen in Damaturu that seven people were initially held, but three had been discharged after clinical analysis.

    The commissioner said though, earlier results did not indicate that the four people have Lassa fever, a second laboratory test would be carried out on them.

    “In July, about seven cases of suspected Lassa fever were reported in Yobe.

    “They were subjected to normal clinical appraisal and three of the seven were looking less of Lassa fever.

    “We will let you know when the result of the second laboratory test is released.

    “We have isolated the cases to prevent unnecessary contact.

    “Our epidemic response team has also gone to the affected communities to carryout contact-tracing as well as enlighten the people on how to deal with the  situation,” Kawuwa said.

  • Two die of Lassa fever at LUTH

    Two die of Lassa fever at LUTH

    •Resident doctor infected as hospital traces 100 LUTH workers

    Two patients treated for Lassa fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) died within few days of admission in the past one week, it was learnt yesterday.

    Each of the two patients presented very late and died in spite of efforts to save them.

    The first was a 32-year old pregnant lady with bleeding disorder, who died after a stillbirth. Post-mortem examination had been conducted before her Lassa fever status was eventually suspected and confirmed.

    No fewer than 100 different hospital workers exposed to the index case are being monitored.

    A resident doctor from the Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, who took part in the autopsy, was later confirmed with the disease and is on admission and responding well to treatment at the Isolation Ward of LUTH.

    Prof. Chris  Bode, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH visited the Isolation Centre of LUTH yesterday in company of his top management staff and spoke with the doctor and staff to boost morale and assure them of the hospital’s support.

    He enjoined workers to maintain a heightened level of alert in the wake of the new outbreak and observe universal precautions in handling suspected cases of the viral hemorrhagic fever.

    LUTH has always worked closely with officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health in handling a number of diseases of public importance such as rabies, cholera, Lassa fever and the diarrhoea disease outbreak at the Queen’s College.

     

     

     

     

     

  • BREAKING News! Lassa Fever: LUTH emergency unit cordoned off

    BREAKING News! Lassa Fever: LUTH emergency unit cordoned off

    Following suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) over the weekend, the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital has been cordoned off.

    Two persons died due to the outbreak, while a medical officer who is critically ill is being treated at the hospital’s isolation ward.

    Patients are however, being attended to at the spillover ward.

    Some other units on the same axis of the ward A and E have also been cordoned off.

    The management has put up a surveillance team at the hospital.

    More details soon…