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Tag: Lassa fever

  • Lassa fever: Resident doctor dies in OAUTHC

    Lassa fever: Resident doctor dies in OAUTHC

    THE management of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Osun State, has confirmed that a doctor in the hospital died of Lassa fever.

    When the news of the doctor’s death – the first record of the disease in the state – first broke on Monday, the hospital said it could not verify the cause of his death.

    Speaking through its committee chairman on Lassa fever, Prof. Adedeji Onayade, the hospital said the doctor’s blood sample was obtained and sent to the Federal Ministry of Health for confirmation.

    Prof. Onayade insisted that until the result of the blood sample was confirmed, it could not be said the hospital recorded a Lassa fever death.

    But yesterday, the hospital confirmed that the doctor died of the disease.

    In a telephone interview yesterday, Prof. Onayade said the laboratory test confirmed that “the resident doctor’s death on Monday at the hospital was caused by Lassa fever”.

    His words: “The result of the first test carried out on the sample of the deceased tested positive and we have a report back and the result came as positive.

    “We were supposed to do two tests, but the patient was dying when we took the first sample. We can’t do the second test now. So, we can say it is 50 per cent. But we are going ahead to take necessary steps. We have informed those who should know.”

    He allayed the fear of frightened doctors and other workers at the hospital on the spread of the virus, assuring them that there were medical experts and specialists capable of controlling its spread at the hospital and outside it.

    Also yesterday, the death of a patient at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) heightened fears over the infection.

    He reportedly showed signs that needed to be ascertained whether they were Lassa fever-related.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Olurotimi Ojo said his blood samples had been taken to the laboratory for tests.

    Ojo, in a telephone chat, said: “Suspected cases have reduced by one. The result of the latest one is negative. We cannot ascertain whether there is any death now.

    “The blood samples have just been taken to the laboratory for test because we have to do extensible laboratory investigation to ascertain if it is related to Lassa fever.”

    Governor Ayo Fayose urged residents to be vigilant and take precautions.

    Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, emphasised the need for residents to maintain clean environment.

    “The disease is in the state and samples have been taken from a dead person to see whether the signs had to do with the disease; another is on the sick bed.

    “We are trailing those who have been in contact with the victims and we are urging our people to take care of their food items and they must not be exposed to rats.

    “People must report immediately to health authorities. Our enlightenment programme will be taken to the palaces of our monarchs for our people to meet health workers. Our food must be covered and we must maintain decent environment,” he said.

    In Anambra State, residents are no longer at ease, following the news that a woman from Ifite-Ogwari in Ayamelum Local Government Area was quarantined.

    But the Vice Chairman, Red Cross Society, Prof. Peter Emeka Katchy, said there was no cause for alarm as the woman lives in Asaba, Delta State.

    He spoke yesterday in Awka at a sensitisation and responsive programme organised by the Red Cross in partnership with other agencies.

    The agencies included the Army, Police, Prisons, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDSC), Ministry of Health and others.

    There is panic as people could not ascertain how many people might have had contact with the woman.

    The woman, it was gathered, was quarantined at a facility built by former Vice President Augustus Aighkomu at Irrua in Edo State.

    Prof. Katchy said Governor Willie Obiano should procure the equipment to battle the disease.

    TheAssociation of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) is worried about the outbreak of the disease and the potential of its spread.

    APHPN said it was monitoring the outbreak, encouraging health facilities and government to ensure availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    National Chairman of APHPN Prof. Tanimola Akande said the use of such equipment by health workers would avoid more infections.

    Prof. Akande, who is of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), hailed the steps taken by governments and the World Health Organisation and other partners in the control of the outbreak in Nigeria.

    Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has urged medical and health workers in the FCT to remain on the alert.

    Bello , however, said the lone case in FCT was that of a man in transit.

    He directed the Disease Control and Disease Surveillance Department to be prepared for any eventuality.

  • Lassa fever: Remain alert, FCT minister charges health workers

    Lassa fever: Remain alert, FCT minister charges health workers

    FCT Minister Muhammad Bello has charged medical and health workers to remain on red alert to nip in the bud any suspected case of Lassa fever.

    Bello gave the directive in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr Hamzat Sule, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The statement said that the directive was a follow up to earlier tips on how to prevent the spread of the disease.

    It recalled that the lone case in the territory was that of a man on transit.

    “But the FCT Administration will not leave anything to chance on the lives and well-being of all the residents and visitors, as this is paramount to this administration.’’

    The minister, therefore, directed the FCT Disease Control and Disease Surveillance Department to endeavour to be on top of any eventuality that might arise.

    The statement said that he also instructed the Notification Officers in all the six area councils to be on high alert by stepping up disease surveillance activities within their various localities, especially at the border communities.

    He emphasised that all the nooks and crannies of the 8,000 sq. kms. of the territory must be well policed, to deal with any case at a very short notice.

    “The Heads of Health Departments in the area councils are equally directed to further step up sensitisation activities in the communities – markets, motor parks, churches and mosques,” the statement added.

    Bello further urged the health workers to be proactive in their approach in order to avoid the unfortunate incident that led to the death of the transit victim.

    The statement said that the minister also adviced residents of the territory to imbibe the habit of a clean environment, to ward off all rodents from their houses.

    “Hygienic practices will go a long way in curbing not only Lassa fever but also other diseases associated with dirty environment,” the statement said

     

  • FG vows to eradicate Lassa fever

    FG vows to eradicate Lassa fever

    The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adeboye on Wednesday assured that Lassa fever would be completely eradicated in the country this year.

    He spoke to State House correspondents after witnessing the signing ceremony of the updated Abuja commitment on polio eradication at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The federal government, he said, had concluded arrangement to set up 10,000 primary health care centres across the 109 senatorial districts in the country to tackle the disease.

    He said that the first 5000 centres would be established this year, starting with Fika community in Borno state where the disease was first discovered.

    He said: “We inaugurated a Lassa fever eradication committee chaired by one of the foremost virologists in this country and we are committed to signing the obituary of the Lassa fever this year.

    “What we want to do is put across some innovative funding mechanisms, ability to manage and put to use 10,000 primary health care centres across the country over the next two years. In the 100 days, we will flag off 110 of these centres. We will start with the one in Fika where we had this outbreak.

    “We will do one per senatorial district of 109 to make 110 in 100 days. This year alone, we will do 5000,” he said.

    On the current outbreak of lassa fever in the country, the Minister said that the country did not record a resurgence.

    He however said that the disease was endemic in Nigeria, stressing that this would be the first time the government is being transparent about the disease.

    He said: “We are not having a resurgence. What we had over the years is a situation which lassa is endemic in Nigeria. And as I said in numerous occasions, we have these outbreaks. In 2012, we had the highest. We have 1700 case and that declined. Last year, we had 441 cases.

    “And what has happened is that for the first time in the history of the country, we are being transparent and open and we are telling the entire world what the situation is and that is what is different. We are also concerned. We want to find out why we are still having this lassa fever inspite of human and material resources that we have in this country,” he added.

    He also denied that there were hidden cases in the past but decried what he called a culture of silence in handling the case.

    “Not that they were hidden but they were never brought to public knowledge. There is also what we can consider to be culture of silence in some of our states. For example, we recognised Ebonyi State as one of the endemic states.

    “And since the outbreak, Ebonyi has not recorded a single case or report a since case. We despatched our surveillance team to Ebonyi and we discovered five cases,” he said.

    The Minister also debunked insinuations that the disease was being given less attention when compared with Ebola virus.

    “We cannot win the battle against Lassa fever the same way we won the one against Ebola. Ebola happened to be a single importation to Nigeria.

    “Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria. In 2012, we had upsurge in 26 states. So, it is there but I can assure you that with what we put in place this year, we will sign it off,” he said.

    On polio, the Minister expressed happiness that no new case has been recorded in the last one year.

    He said that the government will ensure availability of the vaccines to completely win the war in 2017.

    “The good news about polio is that we have recorded a single case since last year and with what we have put in place, what we signed today, we will guarantee availability of vaccines. There will be no stock-out and we will assure that in less than 2 years, this country will be certified polio free,” he stated.

  • Lassa fever patient flees hospital, says minister

    Lassa fever patient flees hospital, says minister

    •Tomori heads 15-member eradication committee

    Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole yesterday announced the escape of a Lassa fever patient from hospital in Ebonyi State.

    The patient, whose identity was not made public, escaped from the health facility, where he was receiving treatment.

    The minister said this during a meeting of the National Council on Health in Abuja.

    The council is the country’s highest advisory body on health.

    The minister inaugurated a 15-member Lassa fever eradication committee to address the outbreak of the disease and other communicable disease in the country.

    The committee is headed by Prof. Oyewole Tomori.

    The minister said he received a text that a Lassa fever patient escaped from a health facility in Ebonyi while undergoing treatment.

    He urged the relevant agency and state government to trace the patient and those who might have had contact with him.

    The meeting approved that a high index of suspicion should be maintained and the surveillance systems should be robust enough to detect further infections.

    It also approved the inauguration of the Multi-Sectoral Lassa Fever Eradication Committee and implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy against the outbreak, which has claimed about 46 lives since it began last August in Niger State.

    Adewole called on states to strengthen their surveillance systems, report cases and collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health for the successful implementation of the response strategy.

    The council observed that unlike Ebola, Lassa fever is treatable if detected early, stressing that there were adequate treatment centres in the country.

    “Council, therefore, reassured the public on the adequacy of the response to the outbreak and urged the public, community and religious leaders to cooperate with health agencies in their states to ensure prompt reporting of any suspected case,” the meeting stated.

    But the committee chairman disabused the mind of the people on the possibility of eradicating the disease.

    Tomori said as far as there were rodents, it would be impossible to eradicate the disease.

    He, however, said the committee would work hard “to ensure that the disease is brought under control to the point that it is no longer epidemic”.

  • Lassa fever claims 63, spread to 17 states – Minister

    Lassa fever claims 63, spread to 17 states – Minister

    The Federal Government said on Tuesday that Lassa fever has claimed 63 lives out of 212 suspected reported from 62 local government areas in affected states.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, confirmed this at the emergency National Council of Health meeting in Abuja on the outbreak of the disease.

    Adewole listed the 17 affected states as Bauchi, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Nasarawa, Lagos, Delta, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Kogi as well as the FCT.

    He said there is high level of denial and conspiracy across some states, adding that health managers should not deceive executives by the pretence and silence.

    The minister described the denial of Ebonyi to report five suspected cases and one death as conspiracy of denial.

    He said every state should consider itself at risk and put measures to contain and prevent the disease.

    Adewole said the federal government would maintain high level of alert all year round to celebrate Lassa fever obituary next year.

    “With the resources available we will collectively eliminate the disease in Nigeria soon.

    “We have special facilities around us and we have adequate human resource to address the challenge.

    “We will strengthen the Primary Health Care Centres across the country to enhance the surveillance mechanism,’’ he said.

    The minister said 5,000 Primary Health Care centres would be activated before the end of 2016.

    “A committee had already been set up to map out health care centres across the country would benefit from the programme.

    “At least one primary health care centre will be functional in a ward,’’ said Adewole.

    In a related development, the minister announced that six most affected states will have Lassa fever diagnostic centres.

    He said the states are Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi and Ondo states; this is in addition to the six existing Lassa fever treatment centres.

    According to him, the centres are Lassa fever Treatment Centre, Irrua, Edo; University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

    Others are Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital Ibadan, and the National Centre for Disease Control, Asokoro, Abuja.

  • Lassa fever: One patient escapes from hospital – Minister

    Lassa fever: One patient escapes from hospital – Minister

    Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole Tuesday announced the escape of a Lassa fever patient in Ebonyi state.

    The patient, whose identity was not made public, it was learnt escaped from the health facility where he was receiving treatment.

    The minister made the disclosure during the emergency meeting of National Council on Health in Abuja. The National Council on Health is the highest advisory body on health in the country.

    The minister also inaugurated the 15 member Lassa fever eradication committee, to address the outbreak of the disease and other communicable disease in the country. The committee is headed by Prof.

    The minister while the meeting was on announced to the entire gathering that he just received a text that a Lassa fever patient had escaped from a health facility in Ebonyi while undergoing treatment.

    The minister therefore urged the relevant agency and the state government to do everything possible to trace the patient and those who might have had contact with the patient.

    The Emergency session of the National Council on Health (NCH) on Lassa Fever Outbreak approved that a high index of suspicion should be maintained and the surveillance systems should be robust enough to detect further infections.

    Other decision reached at the meeting also approved the inauguration of the Multi-Sectoral Lassa Fever Eradication Committee and also implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy.

    The meeting broadly aimed to lay the foundation for a Multi-Sectoral Response to the Lassa Fever Outbreak which has claimed about 46 lives since the outbreak of the disease in August 2015 in Niger.

    Council received a presentation from Prof. Isaac F. Adewole, Hon. Minister of Health titled “Laying the Foundation for a Multi-Sectoral Response to Lassa Fever”. The presentation elucidated the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy for the control of Lassa fever and other similar diseases.

    He called on all the States to strengthen their surveillance systems, report all cases and collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health in the successful implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Response Strategy.  Six Councils also received a presentation on Epidemiological Situation of the current Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria including available Response Infrastructure/Resource requirements by Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, National Coordinator/CEO, NCDC; updates from Lassa Fever affected states who detailed the progression of the outbreak(s) in their states and current efforts to contain and prevent further spread of the disease and reassure the affected Communities; as well as updates from CMDs/MDs of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions located within the affected States on their response and high index of suspicion towards all cases coming to their institutions, their management of confirmed cases, and measures being implemented to prevent nosocomial spread within their facilities as well as their community outreach efforts.

    The Council also observed that unlike Ebola, Lassa fever is treatable if detected early and there are adequate treatment centres spread across the country. Council therefore reassured the Public on the adequacy of the response to the outbreak and urged the Public, Community and Religious leaders to cooperate with the Health Agencies in their States to ensure prompt reporting of any suspected case.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the inaugurated Lassa fever committee, Prof. Oyewole Tomori has disabused the mind of the people on the possibility of eradicating the disease.

    Tomori said that as far as there are rodents it will be impossible to eradicate the disease.

    He however said that what the committee will work hard at is to ensure that the disease is brought under control to the point that it is no longer an epidemic.

    He said: “We cannot eradicate Lassa fever but we can control it as not to allow it to become an epidemic.”

    He further tresses that it is not that the country does not know what to do but “We don’t put our money where our mouth is.”

    He therefore added that “this committee is not about Lassa alone but one that tackles all communicable diseases.

    On the expected challenge the committee might encounter, Prof. Tomori said main challenge the committee might encounter could be in the area of funds.

    He however said with the assurance given by the minister, it is believed that is over.

    Tomori also said that it was important for the committee to properly utilize the funds that will be released to it in a transparent manner.

  • Superstition aids Lassa fever spread in Niger community

    Superstition aids Lassa fever spread in Niger community

    There is new information in Niger State on the Lassa fever epidemic, which has claimed 16 lives there. The state government said ignorance and superstition played a crucial part in the deaths recorded in Fuka village in Munya Local Government Area of the state.

    The facts were revealed when Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole visited the state and was received by the Deputy Governor, Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, at the Council Chamber of Government House, Minna.

    It was part of Fuka community’s belief that for any of their new markets to flourish, there is the need for a sacrifice of 35 gallons of blood to be shed.

    When the first outbreak of Lassa fever occurred in Niger State, the people didn’t regard it as a deadly disease but as part of their traditions.

    The community had set up a new market in August when the first case of Lassa fever was recorded. Between August and December last year, 16 people died from the ‘sacrificial blood’.

    What amazed the World Health Organisation (WHO) surveillance officers who were on the ground to report the outbreak of any disease was that the villagers did not report the case to any health official as there were threats that anyone who spoke about the disease would die immediately. Their belief was rooted in superstition.

    Even mission hospitals and health workers in Fuka community were scared to report the case or talk about it as they were also scared of being made part of the blood sacrifice.

    No one could fathom how the villagers managed to contain the number of deaths as a result of the disease so much so that the whole village was not wiped out by the disease.

    Those affected were said to have been carried to a traditional healer whose identity has not been disclosed.

    This continued until 11 students of Government Secondary School Fuka, including the Principal’s son, came down with a strange sickness in December last year and out of the 11 students, the principal’s son was the only one with symptoms of Lassa fever which had earlier claimed the lives of 16 people.

    While calling for the need to establish a synergy to effectively curb the disease, the Deputy Governor, Ketso lamented that the outbreak of some of the diseases was further worsened by lack of effective primary health care development system in the rural areas.

    The Niger State Commissioner of Health, Dr Mustapha Jibrin stated that initially they were unaware that it was Lassa fever that killed 16 persons in August last year at Fuka but government was able to discover that it was Lassa fever with the help of a school principal at Fuka.

    He disclosed that the principal notified the authorities when 11 students of his school fell ill with strange symptoms and when tests were carried out it was discovered that one of the students tested positive to Lassa fever.

    The commissioner explained that from then it was discovered that the death of 16 people was as a result of the superstitious belief of the villagers.

    It was learnt that after the Principal had reported the case to the Ministry of Health, he had to leave the village because his life was allegedly threatened by the villagers who believed he had desecrated the sacrificial process of making their new market successful.

    When the Niger State Ministry of Health learnt about the outbreak, moves were made to contain it and the surveillance system was strengthened. This, however, did not deter the villagers as they allegedly sent threat messages to the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary to hands off the case or they would be used as part of the sacrifices to assuage their gods.

    However, since the report on the outbreak of the disease, there has been no active case of Lassa fever in Fuka while the 11 students affected are still undergoing treatments.

    According to Dr. Jibrin, active surveillance is still ongoing as moves are being made to sensitise traditional healers in the rural areas to the matter.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Issac Adewole, who was in Niger State for a nation-wide Surveillance Assessment and fact-finding exercise blamed the outbreak on the failure in the breakdown of notification system in the country, saying it was responsible for the high rate of recorded cases of Lassa fever.

    Commending the Niger State Government for being proactive in handling the outbreak of the disease, the minister said the disease has been brought under control, adding that the Federal Government is not determined to find fault but to find out what went wrong to rectify it.

  • Lassa fever claims two in Plateau

    The Plateau state government has recorded two fresh deaths from its battle against Lassa fever.

    This has brought it to three persons killed so far since the outbreak of the disease last week.

    Last week, the outbreak claimed one life in Mangu, Mangu local government of the state, and this week, the disease has claimed two more victims.

    State commissioner for Health, Dr. Kuden Kamshak who confirmed the death of the two victims on Monday said the victims died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where the victims were being treated.

    Dr. Kamshak also said 37 other victims have been quarantined in Mangu where they are being closely monitored by a team of medical experts.

    Earlier last week, Dr. Kamshak confirmed that five local governments in the state are at risk of contracting the disease. They are Jos North, Mangu, Langtang South, Pankshin and Shendam LGA respectively.

    State Commissioner also said, “The state with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working round the clock to contain the spread of the virus”

    According to Dr. Kamshak, “The state government has established Disease Survellance and Notification Officers (DSNO) in each of the 17 local governments in the state to monitor and manage the health challenge”

    The Commissioner however, urged citizens of the state not to panic but remain calm and vigilant, and to report promptly to the nearest health care facility if any more the symptom is noticed.

    He also warned residents to clear their homes and surroundings of rats, maintain good sanitation habits and also keeps cats at home to keep off rats.

    The state government has intensified public awareness through the state media to sensitize citizens on the outbreak, the symptoms and ways to prevent it.

    Dr, Kamshak assured residents that the state is on top of the situation and that there is no cause for alarm.

  • Delta confirms first case of Lassa fever

    Delta confirms first case of Lassa fever

    The Ministry of Health in Delta on Monday announced that it had confirmed the first case of Lassa fever in the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Churchill Oyewo, Public Relations Officer of the ministry and issued to newsmen in Asaba.

    The statement said that the index case occurred after a 65-year-old woman from neigbouring Anambra was admitted at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Asaba.

    It said that the woman was referred to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, when her conditioned worsened.

    The statement said that the case was later confirmed as Lassa fever at the Virology Laboratory, Specialist Hospital, Irrua, Edo.

    The ministry said that following the discovery, the state Rapid Response Team immediately placed 22 persons who had contact with the woman on surveillance.

    It added that five other samples had been sent for laboratory investigation, adding that the ministry had informed the Federal Ministry of Health on the development.

    According to the statement, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has provided the necessary logistics to enhance contact tracing and control measures.

    It advised residents to maintain high level of personal and environmental hygiene as well as keep their food and water away from rats and rodents.

  • Lassa fever: One quarantined, 250 under surveillance in Rivers

    Lassa fever: One quarantined, 250 under surveillance in Rivers

    The Rivers state Commissioner for Health Dr. Theophilus Odagme has confirmed the admission of a medical staff of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), at one of the three quarantine centers made ready by the state for prompt isolation, treatment of Lassa fever victims in the state.

    Odagme made the confirmation in a statement by his press officer, Paul Baziah-Nsaneh in Port Harcourt the state capital Monday evening.

    He said, 250 persons have been placed under surveillance across the state and that the state is doing everything possible to ensure the virus does not spread further.

    Lassa fever broke in the state last December. Five persons including a medical doctor and two women, and their two weeks old and unborn child have been reportedly died as a result of the virus while over 200 mostly medical personnel are presently being monitored in the state.

    The commissioner said, the patient in admission have already begun to show symptoms of the disease but said, she has not yet tested positive to the virus.

    Odagme said, “now the state has 3 holding Centers for Lassa Fever Cases – Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and the Port Harcourt Model Primary Health Centre Port Harcourt.

    “Over 250 persons are being followed up. One patient is at one of the centers for observation after she showed symptoms but she has not tested positive.”

    Staff members of Emergency Medical Service of the BMSH yesterday morning locked up the gates of the government owned hospital in demonstration of the unpaid 14 months salaries by Governor Nyesom Wikle-led government of the state.

    The group who later preceded to the government House gates where they made known their grievances to the state government shut the hospital gates from all forms of movement.

    They expressed untold hardship the non-payment of their salaries have caused them and their defendants, adding that the Lassa fever influenza in the state have further hurt their feelings over the more than one- year -old salaries owed them, stressing that they are at the centre of the risk of the contracting the disease by the virtue of the job, and threatened to down tools if nothing was done about their plight in a shortest possible time.

     

    Already members of the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have been on a warning strike over the abduction of two of their members by unknown gunmen in the state.

    The two abduction victims, a male and a female were abducted at different points in the state within 24 hours are yet to be released.

    Dr. Odagme in the statement appealed to the Doctors to shelve their strike action promising that the government is doing everything to ensure the kidnaped Doctors were released unhurt.

    Also to the protesting Emergency Medical Service workers, the Commissioner assured them that their issue would be addressed as soon as possible.