3 die as Lassa fever strikes Benue

OUTBREAK of Lassa fever in Benue State has claimed three lives, including a medical doctor.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the medical doctor, whose name was not given, might have contacted the disease from his patients in his hospital.
Three patients, according to sources, were said to have been placed on treatment in the doctor’s hospital before they were later rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, alongside the medical doctor.
Two of the patients and the doctor were said to have died within 48 hours while the third patient was said to be receiving treatment at the teaching hospital.
Confirming the report, the Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Professor A.O. Malu, said “there was suspected case of Lassa fever, four people were brought into this hospital at the weekend from different places, the cause of their death made us to believe that they died of same disease. For now, we cannot categorically say it was lassa fever, but the symptoms suggested of lassa fever. Already, we have sent the specimen to Irau in Edo State for confirmation.”
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Orduen Abunku, confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased had been given anti-viral medication, while the surviving patient had been isolated.
TRIBUNE