Lassa Fever has claimed the life of a senior medical doctor at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) in Jos, Plateau State.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever to Channels Television on Wednesday.
Baamlong stated that three other victims succumbed to the disease, saying the state recorded three laboratory-confirmed cases .
According to him, emergency response measures have been activated to contain the spread of the viral disease and protect residents.
The deceased doctor, a senior staff member of BUTH, reportedly contracted the virus after performing a caesarean section on an infected patient, underscoring the risks faced by frontline health workers.
BUTH is one of the designated treatment centres for Lassa fever in the state.
Baamlong further noted that the state government had intensified surveillance and response activities following laboratory confirmation of the cases.
“Plateau State has recorded confirmed cases of Lassa fever. So far, we have eight laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths.
“The state government has activated all necessary response mechanisms to contain the outbreak,” Baamlong said.
He added that contact tracing, active surveillance, and public health interventions were ongoing across affected communities and health facilities.
The Chief Medical Director of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Stephen Anzaku, expressed deep regret over the death of the doctor, describing it as a painful loss to the medical community.
Credit: channelstv.com
