Lassa Fever Kills 2 In Lagos

Lassa fever has killed two patients at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in the Idi-Araba area of the state, Chris Bode, chief medical director of the hospital has said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bode said about 100 workers in the hospital are currently being monitored.

According to the statement, the patients died from the disease after spending a few days at LUTH.

“Each of these two patients presented very late and died in spite of efforts to salvage them,” the statement read.

“The first was a 32-year old pregnant lady with bleeding disorder who died after a stillbirth. A post-mortem examination had been conducted before her Lassa Fever status was eventually suspected and confirmed.

“No less than 100 different hospital workers exposed to this index case are currently being monitored.”

Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF), is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. Many of those infected by the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur they typically include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains.

It was gathered that a resident doctor who took part in the autopsy have contracted the disease and is currently on admission in isolation.

Bode advised all LUTH workers to maintain a heightened level of alert especially in handling suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever.