Patient died of Dengue, not Lassa fever in Ogun ― FMC

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, on Sunday said that a patient who lost her life in the hospital, on Saturday, died of Dengue and not Lassa fever as reported in the media.

A statement issued by the Head of Clinical Services of the hospital, Dr Fidelis Ojebienu, said no patient died of Lassa fever in the hospital.

A section of the media had reported that a 26-year-old woman, died of Lassa fever citing the hospital Public Relations Officer, Segun Orisajo.

However, Ojebienu, claimed that the image-maker was misquoted by the media, but submitted that a pregnant woman had been receiving attention in a case of Lassa fever in the health facility.

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He explained further that the patient with the Lassa fever case had been transferred to a specialist hospital in Irrua Teaching Hospital, Edo State.

“Dengue fever is one of the haemorrhagic fevers with symptoms that are similar to those of Lassa but is quite different in so many.

“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 practice,” the medical expert said.