Five dead, five others isolated in Benue over Lassa fever
No fewer than five deaths have been recorded at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, due to suspected Lassa fever cases in the state.
Recently, there was a media report that individuals were importing live rats into the state for sale from other northern states where rats are not delicacies.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Stephen Hwande, said of the five deaths, only three were confirmed Lassa fever cases, as two others were not confirmed before they died, adding that five other cases have been isolated, with one of them returning positive.
The CMD, who made this known in Makurdi, called for caution, warning that everyone must apply all safety measures.
Dr. Hwande advised the people to keep their surroundings clean and stop the habit of drying their foodstuffs where rodents could feast and defecate on them.
According to him, “We have recorded five deaths, but out of the five, only three were confirmed Lassa fever cases. The other two were not confirmed before they died. Five others are in isolation.”
He explained that the hospital had started tracing those who came into contact with those infected for observation and treatment drugs.
He appealed to people with possible symptoms of Lassa fever, which include a very high temperature and weakness of the body, to quickly present themselves for treatment at the hospital.
