A pregnant woman and a medical doctor have died from the fatal Lassa fever.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control disclosed this in its recent Lassa Fever report.
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The director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) signed the statement containing this update.
According to the statement, the pregnant woman and the doctor who managed the patient.
The statement read:
“On the 8th of December 2021, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of the death of two persons from Lassa fever. The first case was a pregnant woman who presented in a health facility in Nasarawa State and the next one, a medical doctor involved in the management of the patient that later sought medical care in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
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Meanwhile, another medical doctor linked to the case is currently receiving treatment in FCT.
“The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health with support of NCDC has commenced an in-depth epidemiological investigation of the cases to understand the possible source of infection and the extent of spread of the disease. Contact tracing of all the close contacts of the patients has commenced.”
Since the confirmation of cases in Abuja and Nasarawa states, the NCDC is on deck. Activities of the national multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary Technical Working Group (TWG) have intensified their efforts. This includes the Lassa fever surveillance and response in the country.
“Lassa fever Emergency Operation Centres have also been activated by the affected state and FCT. The NCDC sympathises with the families of the patients and the healthcare workers who have lost their lives to the disease,” the statement reads.
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What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is a chronic viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans from rodents. Rodents transmit this illness by contaminating human foods. It can also be transmitted from person to person.
Haemorrhagic illnesses are also known as excessive bleeding illnesses.
Symptoms of Lassa Fever
The symptoms of Lassa fever include:
Severe symptoms
In 2021, the NCDC reported a total of 434 cases of Lassa fever. 80 deaths were also recorded in 16 states and 63 Local Government areas.
Source: The Cable News
