Lassa Fever: Five Die In Ondo, One In Kogi

File Photo: Rat infested house to illustrate the story

Lassa Fever outbreak has claimed the lives of six persons-one in Kogi and five in Ondo State.

Naija News gathered that nineteen people have been hospitalized in four local government area in Ondo state.

According to the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, said the affected local government areas are: Owo, Akoko South-west, Akure North and Akure South.

Owolabi said the government had taken drastic steps in its hospitals to check the spread of the disease and administer treatments on the patients.

He said, “We have taken steps against the disease, we have equipped the isolation centre in FMC (Owo) with health equipment. We have more doctors and nurses there and we are also intensifying efforts to create awareness to sensitise the public to how to live a hygienic life.”

He therefore, advised the people not to entertain any fear or panic, rather, they should maintain hygienic lifestyle as the government was working round the clock to combat the disease.

Similarly, in Kogi State, a medical doctor, Dr. Idowu Ahmed Victor, who was diagnosed of the disease last Friday at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja, died on Sunday at the Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State.

The late doctor was said to have contracted the disease from a seven-month old baby who died lastweek Friday at the FMC in Lokoja.

It was learnt that Victor was newly employed as a House Officer at the FMC.

The Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Godwin Tijani, confirmed the incident, describing the deceased as a man who was committed to his job.

Tijani said: “The NMA in Kogi State is sorry to announce the death of Dr. Idowu Ahmed Victor, who was a House officer at FMC Lokoja. He was infected with the Lassa virus as confirmed at Irrua Specialist Hospital. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”.

The chairman advised healthcare practitioners in the state to always observe safety precautions whenever attending to patients.

He also advised the public to store food items, especially grains, garri and powdered food in air-tight containers.

“The public should endeavour to quickly report any case of high grade fever not responding to anti-malarial treatment to the nearest hospital, so that quick diagnosis and treatment can be instituted,” he advised.

Tijani, therefore, urged the people to maintain personal hygiene and utilize any measure to get rid of rats to curtail the disease.

Meanwhile, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has said the federal government is not doing enough to contain Lassa fever outbreak in some parts of the country.

The group recommended the establishment of medical universities by the federal government in order to enhance the funding and capacity for undergraduate medical training and allied courses in the country.

“This will improve the doctor – population ratio and positively impact healthcare delivery in Nigeria. MDCAN is ready to liaise with the relevant agencies of government to work out the details of its implementation,” the group said.