No Outbreak of Lassa Fever in Kogi, Says Health Commissioner

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has debunked any outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, while reacting to a viral video on social media of an alleged Lassa fever outbreak in the state, noted that the suspected case of a deceased student who was admitted to the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja did not die of Lassa fever.

According to the commissioner, the social media had reported that the student died of hemorrhagic fever and that people who came in contact with him had been isolated. The commissioner explained that the deceased student, who was admitted at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, presented complaints of fever and bleeding from the gum.

He added that the patient was being investigated and managed, while samples were taken and sent to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) Abuja, but unfortunately, before the result was released, he lost his life.

The commissioner said the result came out to be negative for Lassa fever.

According to him, “The suspected case has turned out to be negative for laser fever. It is not only Lassa fever that can make a patient to present bleeding from the gum.  Other reasons could include, blood dyscrasias and bleeding disorders.”

He, therefore, advised members of the public to disregard the report as no case of Lassa fever has been reported in the state.