Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has recorded two confirmed cases of Lassa fever and four suspected cases. Consequently, the administration has activated Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) based on risk assessment and the need to interrupt further transmission.
It has also designated National Hospital and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada as treatment centres for the disease. Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, who disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja, noted that on the January 15, 2024, the FCT Public Health Department received an alert of a Lassa fever case from a clinician in Bwari General Hospital (YBGH), while the second unrelated case was reported by clinicians at the Abuja University Teaching Hospital.
According to her, the first case is a 14-month old female baby, while the second case is a 15-year-old female, who was confirmed on the January 17 and is also receiving care at the treatment centre.
Fasawe observed that a Rapid Response Team was mobilised to investigate the cases. Elaborating on the first case, Fasawe said: “Samples were collected and sent to National Reference Lab for confirmation. The deceased (mother of 14-month old female baby) was a confirmed case, diagnosed at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Following her demise, the father travelled on the January 9 to Bauchi to bring them back to FCT. He returned to the FCT on January 12 and later presented the children to the Bwari General Hospital on January 15. The facility notified the Public Health Department and Public Health response commenced. The Public Health Department carried out investigation due to high index of suspicion and daily monitored them for symptoms. The result came back positive for the 14 months old and negative for the 13-year-old sibling.
The 14 months old is currently on treatment and the 13-year-old is currently on prophylaxis (prevention). The 14 months old is currently on treatment and the 13-year-old is currently on prophylaxis (prevention).
The Mandate Secretary noted that Nigeria is fast becoming endemic, identifying Edo, Ondo and Delta States as spot states, adding that yearly, the FCT experiences infections between November and April. Fasawe listed common signs and symptoms to look out for to include high fever (38.5 degrees), which is usually not responsive to routine treatment; chest pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
