At least 4 persons are confirmed to have died of Lassa Fever virus in Taraba State, North-East Nigeriam
The Management of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, has also confirmed that a medical doctor who tested positive to the virus, is undergoing treatment.
The 6 cases of Lassa Fever have so far been confirmed in the State, while two more unconfirmed ones are under observation.
Most of the confirmed or suspected cases in Taraba State are from Bali, Ardo-Kola, Jalingo, Gassol, Gashaka and Ibbi Local Government Areas of State
AIT gathered that the FMC in Jalingo is the only health facility with a Lassa Fever Treatment Centre in the State. The absence of a test facility for the virus, remains a challenge im the State.
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Meanwhile, the Taraba State Government has been asked to take preemptive measures against the outbreak of Lassa Fever, which occurs between the months of November to March.
And in Gombe State, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 1 person dead from the deadly Lassa Fever while laboratory confirmation is currently going on for another who died recently.
State Commissioner for Health Ahmad Gana who made this known says efforts are going on to treat 4 other cases which are under observation at the isolation ward of the Federal Teaching Hospital.
In Adamawa State, the Government has advised residents to embark on massive rat trapping as a measure to prevent the Lassa Fever outbreak in the State.
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The Commissioner for Health, Abdullahi Isa, has also confirmed to newsmen that 1 woman in Numan Local Government Area who showed symptoms of the virus is dead.
The Commissioner of Health, Abdullahi Isa says, the other suspected victims from Yola North and Girei Local Government Areas were found to be negative and discharged.
He added that 7 doctors, 5 nurses, and relatives who came in contact with the deceased patient have been quarantined and are being monitored for the next 21 days.
The State Government has also provided dedicated telephone hot lines for the Lassa Fever alert.
Cases of Lassa Fever have so far been reported in the neighbouring States of Bauchi and Taraba.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Sunday Ongbabo, has confirmed a reported case of Lassa fever in the State
Ongbabo said the infected woman has been confined at the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in a medical facility within the State for proper treatment.
He also noted that efforts were being made to trace those who might have come in contact with the infected person while all measures had been put in place to curtail any spread.
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Also the Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital BSUTH, Olusayo Alao collaborated the Health Commissioner adding that a 40-year-old female from Okpoga in Okpokwu LGA of the State tested positive to the Lassa Fever virus at the weekend after suspicion heightened when she reported unabating fever.
Alao said that samples taken from the female patient for testing have confirmed the suspicion noting that no death had been recorded so far.
Alao also emphasised that no health worker in the State had been infected. He said the state’s Ministry of Health was doing its best to equip workers with necessary items to carry out their duties effectively.
He said the victim is responding treatment.
