News Obiaks News

Two people at Lagos University Teaching Hospital have died from Lassa Fever after receiving treatment. As a result, 100 more people including hospital staff who were exposed to the case have been placed under close observation and monitoring. The hospital staff include some nurses and a Doctor from the department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology.

One of the victims was a 36 year old pregnant woman whose post mortem confirmed the cause of death as Lassa Fever. In spite of the efforts of Hospital staff to save their lives, both victims died within a few days after being admitted into the hospital.

Obiaks News can confirm that he resident Doctor who took part in the autopsy of the pregnant victim is currently in the surveillance unit of LUTH receiving treatment.

The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode has been in contact with both the Centre for Disease Control in Nigeria and the Ministry of health who have started enlightenment campaigns and taken other measures to contain this outbreak of Lassa Fever in the country.

Bode explained that "about 80 per cent of human infections are without symptoms; the remaining cases have severe multiple organ diseases, where the virus affects several organs in the body, such as the liver, spleen and kidneys. Lassa fever is a significant cause of severe illness and death."�

He further said "however, because the rat species, which carry the virus are found throughout West Africa, the actual geographic range of the disease may extend to other countries in the region."�