*Scores Quarantined In Asaba
From Ochei Matthew, Asaba
A Medical Doctor (name withheld) has reportedly died of Lassa Fever in in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The state commissioner for health, Dr. Nicolas Azinge who confirmed the report in Asaba on Sunday said the doctor was first admitted at a private hospital in the state and later referred to Nnamdi AzikiweUniversity Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.
According to him, the patient’s condition deteriorated and he died after three hours on admission. A blood sample earlier collected was confirmed to be positive for Lassa Fever at the Institute of Lassa Fever, Irrua, Edo State.
Dr. Azinge disclosed that the state government has taken action to avoid its spread, adding that the late doctor’s hospital in Umuaji and the hospital where he was treated at Bonsaac, all in Asaba have been shut down and fumigated.
He added that his wife’s blood sample has been taken and tested and came out negative for Lassa Fever.
He explained that 32 persons have been placed on surveillance. These include 11 persons from the immediate family of the deceased, 18 persons at the private hospital where the patient was first admitted and three others who made contact with the deceased.
Azinge said: “Two LGA Disease Surveillance Officers in Oshimili South and Oshimili North are actively involved as part of the state response team. They have been monitoring the temperature of those under surveillance, and this will be done for a period of 21 days”
He stressed that the Lassa Fever Response Team has been reactivated and sensitisation of health workers in the state is ongoing for them to have a high index of suspicion and take preventive measures when managing infectious cases.
“Awareness creation through the various mass media so the general public can understand how the disease is transmitted and therefore take preventive measures to forestall its spread” he stated
The commissioner, however, added that the outbreak prevention materials have been pre-positioned in high risk disease outbreak LGAs and personal Protective Equipment (PPE), non-contact thermometers and other items have been distributed to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in all of the 25 LGAs in the State by the State Ministry of Health.
While he noted the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Medical Association, Delta State, have been contacted and are collaborating with the state ministry of health, he assured the general public not to panic since the situation is under control.
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