Lassa Fever reportedly kills one in UBTH | Doctors, Nurses quarantined

A male patient at the University of Benin Teaching hospital, UBTH has reportedly died of Lassa fever at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital after surgery. He was said to have uncontrolled bleeding following the surgery.

According to Punch, all staff and equipment that came in contact with the deceased have since been quarantined following his demise.

Punch also reported that a source at the hospital said that the victim had been admitted to the hospital after complaining of appendicitis, some weeks after the burial of his mother in Ekpoma, who reportedly lost her life to the Lassa fever virus.

Chief Medical Director, UBTH Professor Michael Ibadin said,

The victim, an adult male patient who was visiting from his base abroad, had a typical presentation of abdominal pain. History of fever was not volunteered initially. The suspicion of Lassa fever was entertained when, following surgery, he had uncontrolled bleeding. He has since passed on.

All persons who were involved in providing for care victim have all been taken care of according to standard, as determined by international best practices.