Plateau Records Two Fresh Yellow Fever Cases

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Plateau State government has reported two cases of haemorrhagic fever also known as yellow fever in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Jos Friday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kuden Kamshak Deyin, said on October 3, 2017, there were two suspected cases of Haemorrhagic fever at Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH) Jos, adding: “Of these two cases, one proved positive to both Yellow fever and Lassa fever after laboratory tests, while the other tested positive to only Yellow fever; the children are from the same family in Tudun Wada ward of Jos North Local Government area. They’ve both been treated and discharged from the hospital.”

He said: “Yellow fever is caused by Flavi virus, and it is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito called Aedes agypti. Early signs include fever, vomiting, jaundice, high fever, dark urine, pains in the body and back, and generalised body weakness.

“Following the outbreak in the state, government quickly swung into action and provided drugs to the affected persons. Ten ampoules of Ribavirian were supplied to the hospital to treat the Lassa fever patient, two cartons of intravenous fluids were supplied to the hospital for the two patients.”

According to Deyin, “The state government also supplied Personal Protective Equipment for case management. We carried out survey in the affected community to ascertain her immunity status and contact tracing. We are currently carrying out sensitisation of communities in the state. The state government is carrying out Knowledge, aptitude and practice survey on the communities and healthcare providers in both public and private health facilities.”

Details later…