Lassa fever: Lagos places residents on red alert

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said
it was doing everything possible to defeat the
deadly Lassa fever like it did during the outbreak
of Ebola virus, just as it urged residents of the
state to be on red alert by embracing personal
and environmental hygiene.
The government also advised residents to block
all holes in their homes through which rats could
gain entrance, and also refrain from eating rat
meat as well as any food already contaminated
with urine, saliva and faeces of infected rat.
While briefing journalists on the update of the
Lassa fever cases in the State, Commissioner for
Health, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that so far, the
state has recorded 20 suspected cases, out of
which 14 tested negative, while 4 cases were
confirmed positive.
Idris, who addressed the media alongside the
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.
Steve Ayorinde and the Special Adviser to the
Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi
Onanuga, said three results were still being
awaited, while 537 contacts have so far been
listed, out of which 534 were currently being
monitored.
He disclosed that the last confirmed case was a
27-year-old lady who travelled to Edo state on
December 24, 2015 and returned to Lagos on
January 2, 2016.
The Commissioner said the lady, who reportedly
travelled for burial of her relative, became ill on
January 14, 2016 and received care in one private
hospital and three churches before she was
referred on January 23, 2016 to Ijede General
Hospital with fever, vomiting, diarrhea and body
weakness.
He added that the patient eventually died within
few hours of admission, while the case was
confirmed as Lassa fever on January 26, 2016.
The remains of the diseased, according to Idris,
has been kept in the morgue in leak proof body
bag, while she would be buried after due
consultation with her family.Out of that case
alone, the Commissioner said 90 persons have so
far been listed as contacts as at January 26,
2016, while contact tracing is currently on-going.
Giving information on the disease, Idris said:
“Members of the public are being sensitized to
note that Lassa fever can be contacted through:
ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by
the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats;
catching and preparing infected rats as food;
inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with
infected rat urine or droppings, and direct contact
with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through
mucous membranes like eyes, nose or mouth.”
While assuring that Lagos State under the
leadership of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode would
continue to provide quality, affordable and
accessible healthcare to the people towards
achieving universal healthcare to all, the
Commissioner assured that the government would
overcome Lassa fever just as it defeated Ebola
virus disease.
Besides, the Commissioner urged residents to
maintain basic environmental sanitation, including
proper disposal of refuse and avoiding open
defecation. He further asked the residents to
embrace regular hand washing with soap and
water, and maintain high level of personal hygiene
as well as adequate nutrition.
While advocating early report of suspected cases,
the Commissioner also urged health workers
adhere strictly to infection control measures,
while mortuary personnel must wear elbow-length
gloves, face mask, gowns and other personal
protective equipment while attending to remains
of dead patients. SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JANUARY 27, 2016