There is tension in Lafia and Awe local government areas of Nasarawa State after six individuals suspected of being infected with Lassa fever escaped from the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital Isolation Centre.
The escapees had been brought to the facility by the State Ministry of Health’s response team after possible contact with a patient who reportedly died of Lassa fever-related complications. The deceased’s wife had passed away nine days earlier, exhibiting symptoms suspected to be linked to the disease.
Upon arrival at the hospital, blood samples of the six suspects were collected and sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reference laboratory in Abuja. However, before the test results which can take up to three days were returned, the patients absconded, reportedly due to complaints over lack of food.
Director of Public Health at the ministry, Peter Attah, confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP on Wednesday. He downplayed fears of disease spread, noting that all test results later returned negative.
According to Attah, ministry and hospital teams quickly tracked the escapees to a relative’s residence in Lafia, ensuring they did not come into contact with others. He also clarified that the deceased woman was not confirmed to have had Lassa fever, and that the earlier death had heightened initial suspicion.
Attah added, “Two children of the deceased are showing symptoms. We brought six people we feared had contact with the patient to the hospital. Samples were sent to Abuja for testing. While waiting for results, we provide treatment. On New Year’s Day, the patients complained about food and became violent, leaving the facility. We traced them to relatives and ensured they didn’t interact with anyone. The lab results later returned negative.”
He further confirmed that only one person a pregnant woman from Awe LGA had died from Lassa fever complications in the state. However, another ministry official reported to our correspondent that three deaths were recorded during the outbreak, including the woman who died at the General Hospital in Awe and her husband, who passed away a week later showing similar symptoms.
Following these events, the General Hospital in Awe was temporarily closed for fumigation.
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