Lassa Fever: Another Doctor Dies In Osun State

Residents of Osun State were in panic mode yesterday after rumours that a doctor at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTH), Ile Ife died from Lassa fever.

A source at the hospital said, “The doctor just returned from Ondo State and he became ill. He was admitted on Sunday and he died on Monday.  I was told that he showed symptoms similar to Lassa fever."

“The hospital has started contact tracking and some of the nurses and workers have been placed under observation.”

The chairman of a committee set up by the OAUTHC on Lassa fever, Prof. Adedeji Onayade, when contacted on the telephone by PUNCH said although a resident doctor died, the hospital was yet to confirm if he died of Lassa fever.

The Chairman of Osun State Association of Medical and Dental Officers, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle,  when contacted on the telephone said  the association  would suspend its  strike in case of an outbreak of disease.

Adekunle said, despite the strike, the OSAMDO still allowed some of its members in surveillance unit, HIV and other units work unhindered.

This Lassa fever outbreak is really getting out of hand!

Update (21/1/2016): THE TEST RESULTS WERE POSITIVE FOR LASSA VIRUS.