Lassa Fever: No Mortality in FCT as at Date
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) has stated that no mortality has been recorded in the territory due to Lassa fever.
The Mandate Secretary HSES Dr Adedolapo Fasawe made the statement during a press briefing at the FCT Public Health Department Emergency Operation Center ( FCT-PHDEOC) recently in Abuja on the real situation of the disease in the FCT.
Fasawe while briefing the press said that presently FCT has recorded two positive cases from different locations, one of the cases was recorded in Bwari General Hospital while the second case was reported by clinicians at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada.
One of the cases according to Fasawe was a 14months old child who had contact with her mother who was confirmed positive to Lassa fever at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi and unfortunately died of the disease. The child has been linked to cared Fasawe said.
To set the record straight, the Mandate Secretary in her words said that “as at 22nd of January 2024, FCT has recorded 4 suspected cases with 2 confirmed cases, no lassa fever related death has been recorded in the FCT”.
As a proactive institution of government, the FCT Administration according to the Mandate Secretary has put measures in place to checkmate and curtail the disease to avoid an outbreak by linking both cases to care, pre-position commodities as requested by facilities.
Also, cases contacts have been listed and are being followed as procedures demand,
the FCT is equally activating a SUB National level multi-sectorial Emergency Operation Center based on the risk assessment by subject matter experts, relevant MDAs and other stake holders the Mandate Secretary added.
Lassa fever according Fasawe, is one of the viral hemorrhagic disease caused by Lassa virus which is transmitted by Mastomys, Natalensis, a multi-mammate rat which serves as a reservoir of the virus. It transmits the virus when its droppings contaminate infected food or surfaces or through contact with Bobby fluid of infected persons.
Furthermore, the Mandate Secretary tasked the press on its responsibility to inform and enlighten the public to further use its medium to keep the public informed on the disease and that suspected cases should be reported to the nearest health facility or designated treatment centers located in the National Hospital and UATH Gwagwalada respectively.
