Ministry alerts federal hospitals against resurgence of Lassa fever

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By Femi SHODUNKE

NIGERIA:  THE Federal Ministry of Health has alerted all heads of federal tertiary hospitals to take necessary measures to prevent escalation of Lassa fever in their hospitals.

The ministry said that the urgent call became necessary following the resurgence of the deadly disease in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, which has killed on person.

It directed the chief medical directors and medical directors of the federal hospitals across the country in a circular with reference number DHS.030/T/119, dated December 22, 2016 and signed by Dr. Wapada I. Balami, Director, Department of Hospital Services, that they must ensure that the disease do not escalate to epidemic proportions.

The ministry further said that in the circular entitled “Resurgence of Lassa fever” said: “I am directed to inform you that there has been a report of resurgence of Lassa fever in the country with one death recorded in Abeokuta, Ogun State.”

“Consequently, you are requested to activate your surveillance systems, maintain universal precaution and embark on community mobilization, to ensure that this resurgence does not escalate to epidemic proportions,” the ministry said in the circular issued on behalf of the Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

“Please treat as top priority and very urgent,” the ministry stressed.

It would be recalled that no fewer than 396 persons have been placed under surveillance over Lassa fever in Ogun State.

This came after they had contact with an Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta in Ogun State who was killed by the dreaded disease.

The nurse, Omobolanle Adesuyi, and a mortician, identified as Okusaga, were said to have died due to their contacts with a Lebanese who was recently treated of Lassa fever in the hospital but eventually died.

‎The Health Commissioner, Babatunde Ipaye, who disclosed this, explained that the step became necessary to monitor the people in case of any possible development of the symptoms of the disease.

Ipaye said that the primary contacts are majorly members of the late nurse’s family while the secondary contacts are the victim’s co-workers in the hospital, particularly those in her department.

The Commissioner disclosed that so far none of the persons have shown abnormal temperature since the monitoring started.

He added that the medical officers attached to each of the contacts would continue to monitor them until the specified period in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard has been met and they are medically adjudged to be free of the disease.

“All the 396 contacts have not shown any abnormal symptoms or signs of Lassa fever; their temperature is under control and we have stationed our monitoring officer with each of the contacts to continue monitoring throughout a specific period in line with the World Health Organisation standard,” Ipaye said.

The Commissioner urged the public not to panic while assuring that government was on top of the situation.

Ipaye, however, advised the people to cultivate high level of hygiene and keep their food away from rats, just as he urged them to report any case of malaria symptoms that may have exceeded three days to the nearest General Hospital, the Ministry of Health, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta or call the two dedicated lines: 09099140121 and 09099140122.