From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja.
The Head of Clinical Services (HCSs), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja, Dr. Bernard Ododo has confirmed three cases of Lassa fever and one death recorded in the last one week in the hospital.
Dr Bernard Ododo, the Head of Clinical Services (HCSs) FMC Lokoja, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday.
Ododo said that five suspected cases of Lassa fever were reported in the hospital in the last one week, out of which three were positive, and one died.
”Two cases has been transferred to Lassa Fever Management Center at Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo State.
While two others (of which one has died) has their results awaited from NCDC Laboratory in Abuja,” Ododo said.
The doctor, therefore, advised residents to adopt all the necessary precautions to prevent the outbreak of epidemic prone diseases in the state.
He advised the people to maintain high level hygienic principle, keep rodents away from residence and food stuff materials.
He further urged the public to seek early medical attention in the case of fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, joint pain, abdominal pain and at late stage; bleeding from body orifices.
The doctor advised the relatives or care givers to patients, to be careful and use gloves whenever they touch or evacuate effluents and wastes from the patient.
”For health care givers, universal safety precaution is key. Wash hands with sanitizers, glove and kitting on personal protection equipment kit (PPE) are necessary.”
”Treatment is more effective if detected early and treatment commenced immediately.
Lassa is highly infectious and
contagious, everyone must beware,” Ododo advised.
