Enugu Teaching Hospital Records First Case of Lassa fever

The management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Teaching Hospital in Enugu State today recorded the first case of Lassa fever in the facility.

The Lassa fever case leading to the death of the patient comes hours after a student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK) was diagnosed with the same epidemic on Friday.

The chief medical director of the UNTH, Obinna D. Onodugo, confirmed this to THEWHISTER in an email exchange noting that the patient died at the hospital’s accident and emergency unit.

He said there was no cause for alarm as the hospital was working with the Enugu State Epidemiology Team and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure that proper measures are taken at the mortuary and to protect staff against any new cases.

“We have medications for all those who have been exposed directly or remotely. You are advised to be very careful these days and to have a high index of suspicion while observing universal safety precautions. If you notice any lapses, kindly bring it to the CMAC privately, so they can be addressed,” he said.

This is the official case of the disease in Enugu State, as former reports were denied by health officials in the state.