Lassa Fever: No Mortality In FCT

By: Badaru Yakasai & Doris Jonah

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that no mortality has been recorded in the Territory as a result of Lassa fever.

The Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, stated this during a Press Briefing on the status of FCT on the disease, held at the FCT Public Health Department Emergency Operation Center ( FCT-PHDEOC), Abuja.

The Secretary said that presently, the Federal Capital Territory has recorded two positive cases from different locations, namely Bwari General Hospital, while the second case was reported by clinicians at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada.

According to her, one of the cases was a 14 months old child, who had contact with her mother, who was confirmed positive to Lassa fever at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi and unfortunately died of the disease.

Her words: “To set the record straight, as at 22nd of January 2024, FCT has recorded 4 suspected cases of Lassa Fever with 2 confirmed. But no Lassa fever related death has been recorded in the FCT.”

The Secretary said that the FCT Administration has put measures in place to checkmate and curtail the disease to avoid an outbreak by linking both cases to care, pre-position commodities as requested by facilities.

She revealed that cases contacts have been listed and are being followed as procedures demand; adding that the FCT is equally activating a Sub National level multi-sectorial Emergency Operation Center based on the risk assessment by subject matter experts, relevant MDAs and other stake holders.

Lassa fever according Fasawe, is one of the viral hemorrhagic disease caused by Lassa virus, which is transmitted by Mastomys, Natalensis, a multi-mammate rat which serves as a reservoir of the virus.

“It transmits the virus when its droppings contaminate infected food or surfaces or through contact with Bobby fluid of infected persons,” the Secretary said.

Fasawe, however, tasked the media to make it a point of priority to intensely enlighten the public by keeping the public well informed on the disease and that suspected cases should be reported to the nearest health facility or designated treatment centers located in the National Hospital and UATH Gwagwalada respectively.