Lassa fever kills pregnant woman in Enugu — second death recorded in a week

The Enugu state ministry of health has confirmed another death from Lassa fever at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Utuku-Ozalla.

This is the second death recorded in the state. The first was recorded eight days ago at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane.

Ifeanyi Agujiobi, permanent secretary of the ministry of health, confirmed the case during a press briefing at the state secretariat, on Friday.

Agujiobi said the case involved a 24-year-old pregnant woman who died on Thursday night, and that the preparations for safe burial are underway.

She said three cases have been confirmed out of the six suspected cases of Lassa fever while two have died since the outbreak in the state.

Obinna Onodugo, chief medical director (CMD) of the teaching hospital, also confirmed the death in a statement.

He said the hospital management has put up necessary measures to protect staff against new cases.

“It’s confirmed that a case of Lassa Fever came to UNTH today (30/1/2020) and died at our Emergency and Accident,” he said.

“We are currently tracing contacts. We are also working with the Enugu State epidemiology Team and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, to ensure that proper measures are taken at the mortuary and to protect staff against new cases.

“The CMAC/DCMACS have procured some other materials needed to keep our staff safe. There is no cause for alarm.”

“You are advised to be very careful these days and to have a high index of suspicion, while observing universal safety precautions,” he said.

As of Wednesday, 258 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed with 41 deaths reported in 19 states, and majority of the cases from Ebonyi, Edo and Ondo states.