A female member of the National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State has died of Lassa Fever, the Commissioner of Health in the State, Tomi Coker has said.
The commissioner in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 26, declared an outbreak of Lassa fever in Ogun State.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease contracted from rodents. It presents with High grade fever, headache, general body weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea and vomiting.
Other symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, chest pain and unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.
Coker said the NYSC member, a 25-year-old female became sick in Ondo State and was taken to a government’s healthcare centre in ljebu North LGA on March 18.
According to the commissioner, the NYSC member passed on the same day she was taken to the facility
Urging residents to report cases of the symptoms of the disease to the nearest health centre, Coker said, “Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever!”
She also called on healthcare facilities to be extra vigilant and step up Infection Prevention and Control measures and ensure extreme compliance by all health workers.
“The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team at ljebu North East are keeping the situation under control with enhanced surveillance and community engagement and mobilization for effective response,” Coker added.
