The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) has activated a sub-national level multisectoral Emergency Operations Center(EOC), to coordinate response and interrupt Lassa fever transmission.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, at a press briefing on Monday said, the activation of EOC was necessary as the FCT Public Health department received an alert of Lassa Fever from a clinician in Bwari General Hospital on the 15 of January
Fasawe further disclosed that a Rapid Response Team was mobilised to investigate the cases and the investigation revealed they were high-risk contacts of their mother.
“Samples were collected and sent to the National Reference Lab for confirmation. The deceased was a confirmed case, diagnosed at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.
“Following her demise, the father travelled on the 9th of January 2024 to Bauchi to bring back the 2 children who had accompanied their mother to Bauchi and returned to the FCT on the 12th of January, 2024.
“He later presented the children to the BGH on the 15. The facility notified the Public Health Department and the Public Health response commenced.
“The Public Health Department investigated due to the high index of suspicion and daily monitored them for symptoms. The result came back positive for the 14-month-old and negative for the 13-year-old.
“The 14-month-old is currently on treatment and the 13-year-old is currently on prophylaxis (prevention).
“The second case unrelated case was reported by clinicians at the Abuja University Teaching Hospital. The case is also positive and the child is receiving care,” she said
On the Lassa fever situation report, Fasawe disclosed that, as of 22nd January 2024, Nigeria has recorded cumulatively 486 suspected cases, confirmed 134 Cases with 21 deaths giving a case fatality rate of 15.7 %
She also said FCT has recorded 4 suspected cases and 2 confirmed cases and no Lassa fever-related death has been recorded in the territory so far.
“The first case was a 14-month-old female child whose mother was diagnosed and is currently in the treatment Center. and responding to care. The second case is a 15-year-old female who was confirmed on the 17th of January.
“She is also receiving care in the treatment centre. Both children are responding to treatment.”
On Public Health actions taken so far, the Mandate Secretary said, both cases have been linked to care and commodities have been pre-positioned as requested by the facility.
“Contacts have been listed and are being followed up for 21 days. The FCT is activating a SUB National level multisectoral Emergency Operations Center based on the risk assessment by Subject matter experts relevant MDAs and other stakeholders.
“The purpose of activating the EOC is to achieve a coordinated sub-national response and interrupt the transmission as soon as possible,” she said.
