First victim of Lassa fever dies in Ogun

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NIGERIA: THE first victim of Lassa fever in Ogun State is dead.

The victim died last Sunday and government had commenced moves to contact her family on the burial arrangements.

The burial would be in line with the World Health Organisation’s guideline and national protocol, the Ogun State Health Commissioner, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, had said.

Ipaye said at a press conference held at his Okemosan, Abeokuta office that government tried its best to save the life of the deceased, simply identified as Eze.

He said: “Ogun State Government under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun announces regrettably the death

of the first case of Lassa fever in Ogun State today, 14 February, 2016.”
The commissioner said that the 28-year-old woman was admitted into the seclusion unit of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital due to the nature of the illness.

According to him, the isolation unit was specifically equipped, staffed and funded by the government for the purpose of managing all confirmed cases of Lassa fever.

Ipaye stated that before her death, Eze was given the best medical treatment, with specialists coupled with well trained nurses, volunteer medical officers and several kitted support staff attending to her.

“The patient has received a nine day course of Ribavirin, potent antibiotics, appropriate blood transfusions and necessary psychosocial support,” the commissioner said, adding: “We were only waiting to celebrate the completion of medication today and take a blood sample to confirm cure when unexpected complication set in yesterday, Saturday the 13th February, 2016.”
While saying that the death should not send panic to residents of the state, the commissioner explained that the situation was under control.

He added that the Ministry of Health would continue to implement active surveillance, particularly in the local government areas around the borders in the state.
Ipaye, however, said: “We have done all that we should do in this case of patient Eze till the expected day of treatment. We know she was not brought to our care within the expected six days or less of infection that would have positively influenced the treatment outcome but we were determined to make a success out of the first case, but we lost her.”
According to him, his ministry would continue to follow up with those suspected to be associated with the deadly disease and would continue with public education of the citizenry.

“The first 10 days of active surveillance on these contacts have been free of any suspected case and we hope to keep daily communication and visits with these contacts in the next 11 days to make up the longest incubation period of 21 days,” Ipaye said.
He also disclosed that the second person suspected of Lassa fever was still being treated and had remained stable, adding that the victim was 12 weeks pregnant.

According to him, the patient had recovered from initial fatigue, body weakness and depression.
He said: “Like the first case, she also travelled into Abeokuta from Kogi State. As a responsible government we have taken full responsibility for her care and she has been on medication with ribavirin for three days now.

“We have been in contact with her family members and presently have mounted active surveillance on the 60 primary contacts of this patient.”