Bayelsa State records suspected case of Lassa Fever
By Anthony Okafor
THE Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele has disclosed that a suspected case of Lassa Fever has been recorded in the state.
According to Dr Igwele, although details of the case has not been made clearly, he said the suspected case was discovered at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Yenagoa, stating that samples have been collected and send to the Irrua Specialist Hospital for confirmation
The State Health Commissioner who made this known in a press briefing in Yenagoa, advised health care workers and the public to take preventive measures such as, washing of hands before consumption of food, disinfecting surfaces and materials in the health care setting to avoid the transmission of the virus which spreads through ingesting food and drinks contaminated with the feaces and urine of infected rodents as well as through person to person transmission.
He said: We are rounding up our level of preparedness and awareness campaigns in we are also in touch with the Centre for Disease Control, Abuja to align our strategies and the World Health Organization as well, importantly, we are collaborating with the Federal Ports Authority at air, land and sea borders.”
Meanwhile, the State government has reportedly set up an isolation centre at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital to cater for cases of the disease if any is suspected in the state.