Lagos State confirms first case of Lassa Fever Outbreak

In the wake of reported cases of Lassa fever in some States of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government has confirmed the occurrence of the first case of Lassa fever in the State.

In a statement made available to us, Dr. Jide Idris, Honorable Commissioner for Health,Lagos State revealed that the patient; a 25 year old, male, undergraduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State was reported to have fallen ill after he arrived Lagos and was taken to Ahmmadiyyah Hospital, Ojokoro on the 9th of January, 2016 with complaint of fever, sore throats and difficulty in swallowing.

“He was subsequently placed on admission for six days and was thereafter referred by the private hospital to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on the 14th of January, 2016 because the fever was persistent and his condition was not improving. He was confirmed as a case of Lassa fever on the 15th of January, 2016 at LUTH. The patient is presently being managed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and his condition is stable,” Dr. Idris stated.

Ahmmadiyyah Hospital where the first case of the disease in Lagos was reported is now under surveillance and there will be no service delivery in the facility until further notice. The fifteen (15) in-patients as well as 25 health workers in the facility are being monitored for the next 21 days. Contacts tracing is ongoing; and currently we have 92 contacts and all are being followed-up.

In view of this new development, the Lagos State Government has called on residents of the State to be calm assuring them that both the State and Federal Governments are doing everything possible to control the spread of the Lassa virus. In line with international standards, the contacts of the patient are being tracked for follow-up. 

Meanwhile, drugs and other materials have also been prepositioned at our designated facilities; and isolation centres have been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases.

OTHER INTERVENTIONS BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

•          The Mainland Hospital and all other General Hospitals have been placed on the alert

•          The Anti-viral drugs for the management of cases are available 

•          Ambulances have been dedicated to respond to referral and transportation of cases

•          Airing of jingles on Lassa fever on electronic media

•          Distribution of factsheets on Lassa fever to the Medical Directors of LASUTH & 26 General Hospitals in Lagos State, Medical Officers of Health in all the 57 LGAs/LCDAs, all other agencies of the Ministry and AGPMPN for circulation to all health workers in their facilities.

•          Reactivation of isolation wards in LASUTH and 26 General Hospitals in Lagos State for isolation of any suspected case.

•          Prepositioning of PPEs in all 26 General Hospitals for use by health workers with 6,750 PPEs reserve at Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

•          The Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) in all the LGAs in the state have been sensitized on Lassa fever to enhance early detection and prompt reporting of cases.

•          Creation of awareness on Lassa fever by the health educators in the 57 LGAs/LCDAs.

•          Sensitisation on Lassa fever of Iyaloja General of Nigeria and market leaders of all the 57 LGAs/LCDAs in Lagos by the State Health Educator.

•          Collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, Virology Reference Laboratory, College of Medicine University of Lagos and World Health Organisation, Lagos in prevention and control of the disease.

Members of the public are hereby to note that Lassa fever can be contacted through:

•          Ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats

•          Catching and preparing infected rats as food

•          Inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or droppings.

•          Direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, like eyes, nose or mouth.

Those at highest risk include health workers, families and friends of an infected person in the course of feeding, holding and caring for them.

Though Lassa Fever and Ebola Virus Disease belong to the same Viral Haemorrhagic Fever group, Lassa Fever is milder and can be treated and cured if detected early. 

Therefore, any persistent fever should be reported to the nearest public health facility. 

Residents are urged to watch out for the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever which typically occur within 1-3 weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus. 

Early symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. Late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood.  It could progress to coma, shock and death.

They are also advised to suspect Lassa fever in persons with the above symptoms and positive history of contact with an infected person or health worker who had treated either suspected or confirmed cases.

Residents are enjoined to observe a high level of personal and environmental hygiene and take note of the following:

•          Avoid contact between rats and human beings.

•          Ensure proper collection and disposal of waste.

•          Cover all foods (including left-overs) and water properly.

•          Wash hands properly before and after cooking of foods.

•          Block all rat hideouts.

•          Store food items in rodent-proof containers.

     Meanwhile, health workers are advised to:

•          Be at alert and have high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fever.

•          Report any suspect case to the Primary Health Department of LGAs or the Ministry of Health.

•          Observe universal safety precautions when attending to all patients.

•          Wear appropriate PPEs when attending to suspected/confirmed cases.

Members of the public and health workers are to report any case or symptoms of persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health facility or call the following lines:, 08037170614, 08022234273, 08022241768 08033065303, 08033086660, 08055281442 and 08023169485.