By Modupe Gbadeyanka
At least two persons admitted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and being treated for Lassa fever have died.
This was confirmed by the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Chris Bode. Each of victims presented very late died in spite of efforts to salvage them.
The first was a 32-year old pregnant lady with bleeding disorder who died after a stillbirth. Post-mortem examination had been conducted before her Lassa fever status was eventually suspected and confirmed.
No less than 100 different hospital workers exposed to this index case are currently being monitored, Prof Bode said in a statement signed by him.
A resident doctor from the Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology who took part in the autopsy was later confirmed with the disease and is currently on admission and responding well to treatment at the Isolation Ward of LUTH.
Prof visited the Isolation Centre of LUTH in company of his top management staff and spoke with the doctor and staff to boost morale and assure them of the hospital’s full support.
He enjoined all LUTH workers to maintain a heightened level of alert in the wake of this new outbreak and observe universal precautions in handling all suspected cases of this viral haemorrhagic fever.
He also said LUTH has adequate materials for containment of the disease while drugs have been made available to treat anyone confirmed with the disease.
Concluding, Prof Bode said in case of any suspected case of Lassa fever, members of the public can notify the response team in LUTH on 08058019466, 08058744780, 07035521015 and 08023299445.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale