Lagos Lassa Fever was brought in by a student from Ebonyi State – Health Commissioner
The Lagos State commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, saiid the index Lessa Fever case recorded in Lagos was brought in by a student from Ebonyi state who is now receiving treatment in isolation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Speaking at the press conference today in Lagos, Prof. Abayomi said they have already started the contact tracing of the patient to avoid the disease spread.
He noted that with a robust Biosecurity strategy and bio level three laboratories in place to monitor all that is going on within the state, all was set to manage the outbreak of any infectious diseases.
According to the Commissioner, the case recorded in Lagos now brings to 472 cases, 72 deaths involving 26 states in Nigeria.
The case which occurred two days ago and confirmed by the health commissioner yesterday (Tuesday) was formally announced today (Wednesday) by the state government and management of LUTH in a separate statement made available to the Blueprint.
Abayomi while noting that the situation is under control called on residents to be calm and not panic, assuring that State government in active collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is doing everything possible to control the spread of the disease in Lagos State.
“The Ministry of Health through Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health Directorate is currently carrying out ‘contact tracing’ to determine those who may have been infected in line with international standards while beef up our other surveillance strategie“ he said.
Abayomi reiterated the need for members of the public to ensure and maintain adequate personal hygiene and environmental sanitation at all times as part of prevention and control measures against the spread of the disease .
The Commissioner noted that the prevention and control of the disease remains a shared responsibility of all citizens through observance of the highest possible standards of personal and community hygiene as well as environmental sanitation,and urged residents to store house-hold refuse in sanitary refuse bags or dust bins with tight-fitting covers to avoid infestation by rats and rodents.” dispose refuse properly at designated dump sites and not into the drainage system and store food items in rodent-proof containers.
” Dispose refuse properly at designated dump sites and not into the drainage system and store food items in rodent-proof containers. It is by so doing that a habitable and conducive environment, and a disease-free State can be achieved.
“Members of the public are further advised to avoid contact with rats, to always cover their food and water properly, cook all their food thoroughly, as well as block all holes in the septic tanks and holes through which rats can enter the house and clear rat hideouts within the premises”, he said.
While outlining strategies put in place by the State government to control the disease, the Commissioner explained that the Lagos State is maintaining relevant surveillance activities through its disease surveillanceofficers at local government level to prevent the spread of the disease in Lagos.
“Isolation wards have been prepared to manage suspected and confirmed cases, drugs and other materials have also been prepositioned at designated facilities while health workers have been placed on red alert and community sensitization activities intensified”,Abayomi noted.
The Commissioner advised health workers, both in the public and private hospitals in the State to ensure that they observe universal safety precautions and comply with infection prevention and control measures when dealing with patients, stressing that appropriate personal protective equipment like hand gloves, facemasks, goggles and overalls must be worn when attending to cases.
He stated that a case of Lassa Fever should be suspected in any person with persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever or bleeding from body surface.
The Commissioner urged health workers as well as citizens to report suspected case or cases of the disease to the nearest government approved health facility, the Ministry of Health or call the emergency operation centre lines – 08023169485, 08033565529 and 08052817243.
Meanwhile, the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has confirmed having admitted a patient with Lassa Fever two days ago.
Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, (CMAC), Prof. W. L. Adeyemo, said “A confirmed case of Lassa Fever was admitted 2 days ago and is currently receiving treatment at the LUTH Isolation Unit. There was no undue exposure to any frontline LUTH staff before or after the case was confirmed. The patient travelled into Lagos from out of state.
“The Hon Commissioner of Health for Lagos State was duly informed and necessary protocols for safe control have been deployed by the State Epidemiology Unit. The Lagos State Commissioner of Health has issued a statement assuring the public, in line with standard practice on public health issues of this nature. All possible contacts are being followed up. We commend all LUTH and State frontline workers who are working assiduously to manage this case and assure everyone that the CDC, State and Federal resources have already been mobilized to contain this disease.
“All staff are therefore advised to go about their normal duties. Let’s make sure we observe standard infection prevention and control protocols at all times when we manage all patients.”
