Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Yekini Jimoh
Published on 2024-04-08 17:30:50
A tragic incident occurred at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, resulting in the death of Mr. Agu Samuel Omonyai, a 300-level Microbiology student at Federal University Lokoja. He was suspected to have succumbed to a Lassa fever infection, although this has not been confirmed by the state ministry of health. Mr. Omonyai was admitted to the hospital last week Wednesday after being initially diagnosed with viral infections. Unfortunately, he passed away last Sunday, prompting speculation about the cause of his death.
The delay in receiving the results of the medical examination conducted on a sample sent to Abuja has added to the uncertainty surrounding Mr. Omonyai’s case. A source at the hospital mentioned that there are reports of a Lassa fever outbreak in some parts of the state, but there has been no official announcement regarding this matter. Dr. Ebune Ojochide, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee at the Federal Teaching Hospital, confirmed that the deceased was brought to the Federal Medical Center after experiencing illness for about three weeks.
Dr. Ojochide emphasized that until the results of the sample sent to Abuja are received, it is only a suspected case of Lassa fever and cannot be definitively confirmed. This incident comes on the heels of a previous Lassa fever outbreak in April 2022, which affected 41 individuals across 9 Local Government Areas in the state. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Alonge Daniel, had issued a statement during that outbreak, identifying the affected LGAs as Idah, Ibaji, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Okene, Okehi, Kabba, and Adavi.
The community is on high alert as they await further updates from the authorities regarding the current situation. The uncertainty surrounding Mr. Omonyai’s cause of death is causing concern among his friends, family, and colleagues at the university. The tragic loss of a promising young student has left many in mourning and praying for answers.
In light of these recent events, it is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of diseases like Lassa fever. Adhering to proper sanitation practices, avoiding contact with rodents, and seeking medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms related to viral infections are essential steps in safeguarding public health. As authorities continue to investigate this tragic incident, it is hoped that answers will be found and appropriate measures will be taken to prevent further outbreaks in the future. This serves as a reminder of the importance of public health awareness and vigilance in combating infectious diseases.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
