From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
An outbreak of Lassa fever has hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with two cases confirmed in a 14 month-old baby and 15 year-old female, respectively, with no mortality recorded so far.
The Mandate Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Health and Environment Services Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, at a press conference, in Abuja, yesterday, said the two cases were confirmed from four suspected cases that were recorded recently.
She said: “On January 15, 2024, the FCT Public Health Department received an alert of Lassa fever from a clinician in Bwari General Hospital (BGH). A rapid response team was mobilised to investigate the cases. The investigation revealed they were high risk contacts of their deceased mother.
“Samples were collected and sent to the National Reference Laboratory for further confirmation. The deceased was a confirmed case diagnosed at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Following her death, the father travelled to Bauchi on January 9, 2024, to bring back the two children who had accompanied their mother to Bauchi, and returned to the FCT on January 12, 2024.
“He later presented the children to BGH on January 15, 2024. The facility notified the Public Health Department and responses commenced. The case was investigated due to high index of suspicion, and daily monitored for symptoms of Lassa fever.
“The result returned positive for the 14 months old, and negative for the 13 year-old. The 14 months old is currently on treatment and the 13 year-old is currently on prophylaxis (prevention).
“The second case was reported by clinicians at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). The case was also positive and the child is receiving care. There hasn’t been any mortality and the two cases are responding to treatment.”
The Mandate Secretary said the FCT administration has taken some public health actions which includes linking both cases to care, adding that commodities have been pre-positioned as requested by the facility, while contacts have been listed and are being followed up for 21 days.
She urged the FCT residents not to panic, insisting that there is no need for alarm, but taking basic precautions which includes not exposing foods and other consumables to the possibility of rat droplets.
She suggested early report of any suspected case to the nearest health centre, linking all suspected cases to the nearest health facility, while clinicians in both public and private health facilities should have a high suspicion alert, and quickly refer suspected cases to designated treatment centres located in the National Hospital and the UATH, Gwagwalada.