The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has disclosed that two cases of Lassa fever have been recorded causing heightened surveillance to prevent a widespread outbreak.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of Health and Environment Services Secretariat, on Monday, disclosed in Abuja the discovery of two new Lassa fever cases from a clinician in Bwari General Hospital, with no fatality recorded.
According to Dr. Fawase, investigations that were immediately carried out revealed threatening cases of children aged 14 months and 13 years old respectively, who had contact with their mother in Bauchi, who is said to have died of Lassa fever.
While conducting a test on the children after being brought back to Abuja by their father, the 14-month-old tested positive, while the 13-year-old tested negative.
While explaining that the second positive case-patient as reported by clinicians at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital is currently receiving treatment, Mrs. Fasawe said; “On January 15, 2024, the FCT Public Health Department received an alert of Lassa Fever from a Clinician in Bwari General Hospital hospital. A rapid response team was mobilized to investigate the cases.
“Investigations revealed that they were high-risk contacts of their mother. Samples were collected and sent to the National Reference Laboratory for confirmation.
“The mother was a confirmed case, diagnosed at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Following her demise, the father traveled on the 9th of January, 2024 to Bauchi to bring back the children who had accompanied their mother to Bauchi and returned to the FCT on January 12, 2024.”
She further advised residents to avoid exposing their foods to the reach of rats or rodents and ensure that their environment is clean at all costs to avoid enabling a breeding ground for rats.
She also encouraged members of the public should cultivate the habit of reporting strange symptoms to the nearest health care facilities.
