Lassa fever claims one life, 5 hospitalised in Edo

The Commissioner for Health in Edo state, Dr. Eregie Aihanuwa confirmed to reporters during a press conference on Monday that one person died while five persons are hospitalized as a result of the Lassa fever infection.

''Among the six cases, one is from Plateau State while the remaining five cases are from Edo,'' she said. ''Among the five cases from Edo, four are from the Estako West Local Government Area of the state while the last case is from the Uhumwonde LGA in the state. All cases of Lassa fever are treated in isolation wards in specialized centers such as the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control at the Irrua Specialist Hospital. We are putting measures in place to stop the further spread of this current outbreak.''

Punch Newspapers also reports that the disease might have spread to Imo state.

Confirming the report, the Imo State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Hyacinth Emele said a mother and her baby might have contracted the disease.