01-26-2020, 03:59 PM
Quote:
Lassa Fever: FMC Management Says No One Died Of Lassa Fever In Ogun
Contrary to the report from some sections of the media (Punch not included ) that a 26-year-old pregnant woman has died of Lassa fever at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, the hospital management has refuted the claim.
The Head of Clinical Services, FMC, Abeokuta, Dr Fedelis Ojeblenu stated this on Sunday in a reaction to the media reports quoting the Director of Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr. Segun Orisajo who reportedly confirmed that one person died as a result of Lassa fever.
Orisajo was said to have confirmed that a 26-year-old woman, Titilayo Akinsola had lost her life to the disease on Saturday.
He was also reported to have stated that Akinsola died on Saturday after failed attempts by the medical team of the hospital to save her life.
But, the Head of Clinical Services faulted the report, saying, no one died of Lassa fever in the hospital.
He, however, confirmed that there was a case of a pregnant woman who has been confirmed of having Lassa fever in the hospital.
Oblenu in a statement sent to our correspondent on Sunday, said "we have a confirmed Lassa fever case in the hospital.
He said one person died at the Accident and Emergency unit in the hospital, but, not of Lassa fever.
He said the PRO was misquoted by the media, adding that the death that was reported was as a result of Dengue fever.
According to him, the death that occurred was as a result of Dengue fever while the pregnant woman with Lassa fever case had been transferred to a specialist hospital in Irrua Teaching Hospital, Edo State.
He said " Dengue fever is one of the haemorrhagic fevers with symptoms that are similar to those of Lassa, but is quite different in so many respects.
" A pregnant lady admitted four days ago. The other suspected case that died in A/E on Thursday,23rd is dengue Fever.
"The said lady has been transferred to Irrua teaching hospital on Saturday(Initially planned for FMC Owo).
"Surveillance tracing of all possible contacts especially our staff has commenced, while appropriate measures of containment and prevention are being put in place.
"The Infection control committee has already sent out reminders on standard precautionary practices. "
Meanwhile, some patients and their relatives have expressed fear over the rumoured death of a victim of Lassa fever at the hospital.
PUNCH had exclusively reported a fresh Lassa fever outbreak in the state on Friday.
However, an early Sunday morning visit to the hospital revealed that some patients and their relatives were apprehensive over the development.
Some of the relatives who spoke with our correspondent expressed fear that they might take their ill-persons away from the hospital.
Reacting to the implication of the report, the head of clinical services, said the clarification became necessary to avoid apprehension among the people.
He said "There is need to avoid panic and anxiety amongst staff and patients while all possible contacts are enjoined to cooperate with the epidemiologists and other personnel to successfully manage the situation.
https://punchng.com/no-one-died-of-lassa-fever-in-ogun-says-fmc-management/