Doctor dies of disease in Rivers

dimeji akinloye

January 14, 2016 5:38 PM

Njamala's death makes it three people who have been killed by the disease in the state since it broke out n December 2015.

Lassa Fever Patient escapes from hospital in Ebonyi state (not pictured)

A Rivers State medical doctor, Ehivai Njamala, has died from the viral disease, Lassa fever.

The medical practitioner, who was said to be a resident at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), in Port Harcourt died today, January 14.

According to a statement by the state's Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Duro Green, late doctor was infected by a patient whom he was treating at the hospital.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. It is transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with rat excreta.

Its spread can be stopped by keeping a rat-free environment and maintaining proper hygiene.

dimeji akinloye