Four die in Taraba Lassa fever outbreak

Dr. Innocent Vakkai, the Taraba State Commissioner for Health, on Tuesday said Lassa fever has claimed the lives of four persons in the state so far.
Vakkai told newsmen in Jalingo that 15 suspected cases were tested and five turned out positive, out of which four died.
According to the commissioner, the state government has activated its surveillance system for more case detection and proper treatment.
He noted that efforts were ongoing to create awareness among residents of the state to enlighten them about the symptoms of the disease.
He regretted that challenges such as late report of cases to hospitals and the difficult terrain of the state remained major problems to the management of the disease in the state.
He revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health promised to provide testing machines, but that the state government may acquire its equipment to reduce waiting time between suspicion and confirmation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmed Jatau, the Acting Head, Clinical Services of Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, said “a medical doctor tested positive.”
Jatau explained that the doctor, a house officer, was currently undergoing treatment at Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State.
He said: “We sent 10 suspected cases for test and six tested positive and out of the six confirmed cases, four died even before their results came in.
“Out of the remaining two, one has been discharged, while the other, who is our own staff, has been transferred to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo for further treatment.
“We have also fumigated the house officers quarters against rodents.”