At least four people, including two pregnant women, have died from suspected Lassa fever in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, prompting the temporary closure of the town’s general hospital and the isolation of health workers.
A Disease Surveillance Officer in the area, Malami Ahmad Yahuza Abdullahi, said the outbreak began when a woman with symptoms consistent with Lassa fever was taken to a health facility but died before receiving treatment. Her husband later developed similar symptoms and also died.
Following the incident, the Awe General Hospital was shut down as a precautionary measure, while health workers, including the medical superintendent, were isolated to prevent further spread of the suspected infection.
Abdullahi cited poor handling of suspected cases and inadequate logistics as major challenges in responding to the outbreak. He said none of the Disease Surveillance Officers across the state’s 13 local government areas has been provided with motorcycles, limiting their ability to reach remote communities quickly.
According to him, the state government deployed an ambulance to evacuate six suspected cases from Awe to Lafia for isolation. However, he alleged that the individuals were allowed to leave before laboratory test results were released.
Health workers in the area have also raised concerns about the lack of personal protective equipment, saying it has heightened fear among staff. A nurse at the hospital said two women presented with malaria-like symptoms, which later progressed to bleeding and haemorrhage, leading to their deaths.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Health at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Dr Peter Attah, said only one suspected case of Lassa fever was officially recorded in Awe. He noted that the patient died before laboratory confirmation could be obtained.
The differing accounts have raised concerns about disease surveillance, infection control, and preparedness as authorities continue to monitor the situation.