Lassa fever kills WHO doctor in Benue

A medical doctor working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Benue State has reportedly died of Lassa fever.

Our correspondent reports that the doctor whose name was given as Samuel Tagher Nyitor, succumbed to death on Sunday from the disease after being referred to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State.

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There were however reports that two other people treated by another medical doctor (himself now in isolation) also died last week in the wake of the outbreak in the state.

But the State’s Commissioner of Health and Human Resources, Dr Joseph Ngbea, confirmed to journalists in Makurdi on Monday that only the doctor that was taken to Irrua died.

Ngbea said one other confirmed case receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) is stable and that there was no cause for alarm.

“One doctor died. Nobody else is in critical condition. The other person there (BSUTH) is very stable.

“Before the Lassa Fever outbreak, the ministry through the governor released money so even when they made the diagnosis, we wanted to take over the payment but the hospital said no, they will be the one to pay.

“As we speak, they have released the purchase of drugs worth N600,000. Anybody that had contact with him (deceased) should make themselves available at the teaching hospital,” he said.

The commissioner urged residents in the state to keep away anything that will encourage rats and when in doubts about fever not responding to the treatment they should immediately report to the hospital for early medical attention.