Man, 51, dies from disease in Lagos, 14 suspected cases recorded

One of the three patients suffering from Lassa Fever in Lagos has died, the state government confirmed on Friday, January 22.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who announced the development, said the deceased will be buried later on Friday.

Idris also revealed that as at January 21, 14 suspected cases of Lassa Fever has been recorded in the state, adding that the Ministry of health has shortlisted 447 contacts of the confirmed cases and 438 (98 per cent) of the contacts who are currently being monitored.

“Three of the suspected cases were confirmed positive of Lasssa Fever. One case was confirmed on January 15 and two cases were confirmed on January 18. Eight suspected cases tested negative, while we are awaiting results for the remaining three suspected cases”, the Commissioner said.

He said the late victim was a 51-year-old man and lived in Ilasan, Lekki, Lagos state and returned from Edo where he attended a wedding ceremony on December 28, last year.

According to him, the late patient was initially admitted at Divine Medical Centre in Ikoyi on January 12, 2016 and referred to Mainland Hospital Yaba early January 18, 2016 and later died at 2pm same day before the result of the laboratory test that confirmed him positive of Lassa Fever was received.

READ: Lassa Fever - 'Avoid drinking soaked garri,' Medical Union warns

He also gave the breakdown of the Lassa Fever cases in Lagos, saying the first confirmed case at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and listed the contact line as follows; Ifako Ijaiye; 100, Mushin; 18, Alimosho; 42 and Kosofe; one with a sub-total of 160.

Other contacts being monitored are as follows; Ifako Ijaiye- 91; Mushin – 18, Alimosho- 42; Kosofe- 1, with a sub-Total of 151.

For case the two at Mainland General Hospital the contacts line listed is Eti-Osa- 66 and the contact line being monitored is at Eti-Osa- 66, with a sub- Total: 66.

He added: “Case three, Mainland General Hospital, the contact line listed is at Amuwo: 220 and the contact being monitored is at Amuwo: 220, Sub-Total: 220. The over cases, total figure for both contacts line listed is 447 and contacts being monitored is put at 438.”

The Commissioner stated that Ministry has established an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and holds a daily briefing meeting at 6pm in the conference room of the ministry.