Lassa fever kills one in Jos

There has also been an outbreak of cholera in Plateau State.

One person has died of a suspected case of Lassa fever in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, the state’s epidemiologist, Raymond Juriet, has said

Three other cases of the same disease are under laboratory examination, Mr. Juriet added

The official said on Wednesday that three patients suspected to be suffering from Lassa fever were being diagnosed in Edo State as it is one of the only two states that has a functional Laboratory for examining Lassa fever in the country.

Mr. Juriet, while briefing Journalists on the outbreak of diseases including cholera and other communicable disease in the state, said 20 persons were affected with food poisoning in Qan’pan Local Government Area after eating a meal from a Wedding reception.

None of the affected persons died.

He also said 13 cases of cholera disease were uncovered in Basa Local Government Area. The disease has, however, been contained.

Explaining measures taken by the state to curtail the cholera epidemic, Mr. Juriet said the Plateau state government contacted the federal government for immediate vaccine assistance.

At the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, patients suffering from cholera were being isolated from other patients to avoid further spread of the disease.