Inside FMC’s frontline Lassa fever battle
For years, Lassa fever in Nigeria followed a familiar pattern: cases surging during the dry season, with health care workers bracing for an influx of patients; the outbreak easung off when the rains arrive. At the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, one of Nigeria’s foremost treatment centres for Lassa fever, doctors and nurses […]
Lassa fever, a severe viral illness prevalent in Nigeria, is following an unpredictable pattern, according to health professionals at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owo, Ondo State. Previously, cases of the disease usually increased during the dry season due to environmental factors and human activities, but now infections are reported throughout the year, placing immense pressure on the already limited healthcare resources and frontline workers.
Dr. Ihinmikaye Isaac, a consultant public health physician and Lassa fever case manager at the facility, stated that the disease no longer follows seasonal trends, with patients arriving at the centre throughout the year. This unexpected pattern has been particularly pronounced in areas such as Akure South and Kajola, where health officials have recorded a significant concentration of cases.
The outbreak has evolved into a year-round public health emergency, demanding constant vigilance and resource allocation from the healthcare workers. Despite the risks involved, the dedicated frontline workers continue to treat the patients, driven by their passion for saving lives and their hope for recovery.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
