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Lassa fever has resurfaced in Nigeria again claiming two lives just few months after another case of polio was recorded after Nigeria was declared polio free, Arise News247 gathered.
When Ebola fever infiltrated Nigeria, the federal government led by former president Goodluck Jonathan worked assiduously with the two opposition states affected to contain the epidermic and Nigeria recorded immediate victory. Though, the opposition party, APC, claimed it was their governors’ efforts to conquered the virus.
The case of Lassa fever under this administration was totally different from that of Ebola under the previous regime. While Ebola was defeated almost immediately, Lassa fever kept spreading and was almost becoming elusive, before the Health Ministry could claim momentary victory over the fever.
As if that was not enough, the dreaded fever suddenly resurfaced in Ogun State causing anxiety in the Gateway State.
The Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF) claimed two lives in the state capital, Abeokuta, four months after the state government declared the state Lassa fever-free.
The reported cases were that of an assistant nursing officer, Adesuyi Abolanle and a mortuary attendant in a hospital. Abolanle attended to Lassa fever patients and the morgue attendant handled the dead bodies of those who died as a result of the fever during the widespread epidemic.
Hence, the hospital management in the state ordered a test to be conducted at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and it was confirmed that the duo died of Lassa fever.
Confirming the resurgence, the Federal Minister of Health released a circular to all CMDs and MDs urging them to “activate” their “surveillance systems, maintain universal precaution and embark on community mobilization.”
The letter dated 22nd December, 2016 was signed by Dr. Wapada Balami, Director, Department of Hospital Services on behalf of the Honourable Minister.
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