Lassa fever kills woman in Gombe

A female resident of Bodor village in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe state was confirmed to have died from Lassa fever on Monday. The Director of Public Health at the state Ministry of Health, Dr Joshua Abubakar, said an 18-year-old woman, who was tested positive of Lassa fever died at a health facility where she […]

A female resident of Bodor village in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe state was confirmed to have died from Lassa fever on Monday.

The Director of Public Health at the state Ministry of Health, Dr Joshua Abubakar, said an 18-year-old woman, who was tested positive of Lassa fever died at a health facility where she was receiving treatment.

He said all the 31 people she had contact with were quarantine and discharge from the hospital after they were tested negative.

Dr Abubakar added that four relatives of the decease who had close contact with her as caregivers, including health officials were being quarantine to avoid spread of the disease. 

He advised people to always to ensure proper keeping of food items to avoid contact with rodents and rats at homes.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Kennedy Ishaya, said the sum of N20 million was approved by the state government to treat all Lassa fever cases, adding that enough drugs were procured by the ministry for the treatment of victims of the diseases.