One dies as Lassa Fever hits Ogun

Lassa fever has claimed the life of a 26-year-old woman, Titilayo Akinsola in Ogun State. Akinsola was reportedly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, the State capital, on Wednesday. She was admitted to the hospital and after a series of tests, she was diagnosed of Lassa fever.

Spokesman of FMC, Segun Orisajo, who confirmed the incident, told The Guardian Akinsola died yesterday.Orisajo said: “ Akinsola was rushed to the hospital four days ago, and a series of tests confirmed that she had Lassa fever.

“Our medical team did everything possible to save her life but unfortunately, she died.”“The hospital management is in touch with the Ministry of Health to work together to put everything in check. There is no cause for alarm.

The state government had, a few days ago, refuted a report of Lassa fever outbreak in the state, insisting there was no confirmed case. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had listed the state as one of the states with a case of Lassa Fever in the country.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, in the statement, a few days ago, said the government had put its health officials on red alert in the event of any suspected case. 

Coker said: “It is true someone died of Lassa fever in the state today (Saturday).”He, however, refused to comment further on the issue, saying she did not want to create panic.