Lassa Fever Spreads As Delta And Rivers States Reports First Cases

The Ministry of Health in Delta on Monday announced that it had confirmed the first case of Lassa fever in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Churchill Oyewo, Public Relations Officer of the ministry and issued to newsmen in Asaba.

The statement said that the index case occurred after a 65-year-old woman from neigbouring Anambra was admitted at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Asaba.

It said that the woman was referred to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, when her conditioned worsened.

The statement said that the case was later confirmed as Lassa fever at the Virology Laboratory, Specialist Hospital, Irrua, Edo.


The ministry said that following the discovery, the state Rapid Response Team immediately placed 22 persons who had contact with the woman on surveillance.

It added that five other samples had been sent for laboratory investigation, adding that the ministry had informed the Federal Ministry of Health on the development.

According to the statement, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has provided the necessary logistics to enhance contact tracing and control measures.

It advised residents to maintain high level of personal and environmental hygiene as well as keep their food and water away from rats and rodents.


Also; The Rivers state Commissioner for Health Dr. Theophilus Odagme has confirmed the admission of a medical staff of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), at one of the three quarantine centers made ready by the state for prompt isolation, treatment of Lassa fever victims in the state.

Odagme made the confirmation in a statement by his press officer, Paul Baziah-Nsaneh in Port Harcourt the state capital Monday evening.

He said, 250 persons have been placed under surveillance across the state and that the state is doing everything possible to ensure the virus does not spread further.

Lassa fever broke in the state last December. Five persons including a medical doctor and two women, and their two weeks old and unborn child have been reportedly died as a result of the virus while over 200 mostly medical personnel are presently being monitored in the state.

The commissioner said, the patient in admission have already begun to show symptoms of the disease but said, she has not yet tested positive to the virus.

Odagme said, “now the state has 3 holding Centers for Lassa Fever Cases – Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and the Port Harcourt Model Primary Health Centre Port Harcourt.