TVCE (JOS) – Following the outbreak of the deadly Lassa fever virus in some parts of the country, and the first recorded death in Plateau state, the ministry of health has quarantined some people suspected to have contracted the virus.
TVC NEWS correspondent Funom Joshua reports that the Plateau State commissioner for health confirmed the development.
Plateau state north central Nigeria is one of the states in the country where Lassa fever is confirmed to have taken at least a life since its outbreak.
41 people so far have been confirmed to have died after contracting the disease believed to have originated from a rat specie.
Plateau State commissioner of health, Kuden Kamshak confirmed the outbreak of the virus in the state to TVC NEWS.
Relatives of the deceased victim as well as medical staff that attended to him are now classified as potential carriers of the virus and they have been placed in an isolation centre, while their blood samples have been sent for examination to verify their status.
The commissioner also disclosed that the suspected carriers of the virus are being looked after at the Jos University Teaching hospital and Bingham University Teaching hospital, also in the state capital.
On a visit to Bingham University Teaching hospital where one of the suspected victims is currently receiving attention, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital said government and management of the hospital are on red alert to contain the outbreak of the disease.
Residents of Plateau state have been advised to keep their environments clean and to report suspected attack by the virus at the nearest medical facility.
