Suspected Lassa fever infection kills 300-level microbiology student in Kogi

A 300-level Microbiology student of Federal University Lokoja, Mr. Agu Samuel Omonyai, passed away at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja as a result of a suspected Lassa fever infection.

He was rushed to the Hospital last week Wednesday for admission but was initially said to be suffering from viral infections.

However upon his death last Sunday, there were insinuations that he may have contact Lassa fever, a claim that has not been confirmed by the state ministry of health.

It was gathered that the result of the sample sent to Abuja for medical examination was yet to arrive.

A source at the Hospital told our correspondent in confidence that there is actually an outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the state, but however, said no official statement has been issued to this effect.

However, Dr. Ebune Ojochide, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, (CMAC), at the Federal Teaching Hospital told our correspondent, that the boy was brought in to the Federal Medical Center last week Wednesday. He was said to have been sick for about three weeks before he was brought to the hospital.

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According to Dr. Ojochide the result of the sample sent to Abuja is still being awaited “Until that is done we can only say it’s a suspected case of Lassa, but we can’t be categorical.

Recall that the last Lassa fever outbreak in the state was in April 2022, with 41 persons affected in 9 Local Government Areas of the state.

A statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr Alonge Daniel, in April 2022 listed the LGAs to include: Idah, Ibaji, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Okene, Okehi, Kabba- and Adavi.

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