*Index victim came in from Zaria nine days ago
A 25-year-old undergraduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Ahmed Fasasi, was on Friday, tested positive to Lassa Fever at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
Hence, Ahmmadiyyah Hospital located in Ojokoro area of Lagos where the first case of the disease in the state was reported is now under surveillance. The 15 in-patients as well as 25 health workers in the facility are being monitored for the next 21 days.
To be monitored also are other possible 92 contacts of the patient. Giving the update on the outbreak, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said though the patient is presently managed at the LUTH, there will be no service delivery at Ahmadiyyah Hospital until further notice.
Allaying fear among the residents, the Commissioner said the state is doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the diseases.
He added:” The state and federal governments are doing everything possible to control the spread of the Lassa virus. In line with international standards, the contacts of the patient are being tracked for followup.
Drugs and other materials have also been prepositioned at our designated facilities; and isolation centres have been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases.”
To effectively manage the scourge and prevent the spread, Dr Idris said all the isolation wards at the 26 General Hospitals and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH have been reactivated.
He said: “The Mainland Hospital and all other General Hospitals have been placed on the alert.
The Anti-viral drugs for the management of cases are available “Ambulances have been dedicated to respond to referral and transportation of cases.
Airing of jingles on Lassa fever on electronic media. Distribution of factsheets on Lassa fever to the Medical Directors of LASUTH & 26 General Hospitals in Lagos State, Medical Officers of Health in all the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, all other agencies of the Ministry and AGPMPN for circulation to all health workers in their facilities. “ Reactivation of isolation wards in LASUTH and 26 General Hospitals in Lagos State for isolation of any suspected case.”
Meanwhile, the first patient whose case was yesterday confirmed by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to be Lassa Fever in Lagos, came in from Zaria, Kaduna State nine days ago. He had been ill for about nine to 10 days.
He had similarly spent about seven to eight days in a missionary hospital at the Ahmadiyya Missionary Private Hospital, Agege where his condition worsened before he was referred to LUTH for further treatment.
In a related development the tracing of at least 40 people who had contact with the patient, also began yesterday.