Management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, disclosed during a press briefing, on Wednesday that a female Lassa fever patient, name withheld, on Monday, was successfully delivered of a baby girl.

The Chief Medical Director, Dr Emeka Onwe-Ogah, who briefed journalists, on behalf of the hospital management, noted that although the woman was tested positive of the virus and was successfully treated eventually and awaiting discharge, her baby was negative of the disease.

The CMD said this was the second time such a feat was recorded in the country.

He pointed out that another pregnant Lassa fever female patient was currently in labour and expressed the hope that her case would end like the first woman.

Ogah said a total of 110 patients tested for the disease as of Tuesday.

Describing the virus as endemic in the state, he said 29 positives were detected, out of with 23 of them from the state; while four were from Enugu State and two, were from Abia State.

He said:

“Lassa fever is endemic in Ebonyi State. All year-round, we have it, but it picks from November and the peak period is usually January, February and by March, it starts going down.

“As at 4th February this year, we have a total number of 110 patients that has been tested in this hospital. Then total positives were detected and there were 29. Out of this, 23 of those who tested positive are from Ebonyi; then four are from Enugu, while two of the positives are from Abia.

“Out of this, the total number of patients treated as at that 4th February, 2020, was 14 persons. To give you good news, out of this number, we have a pregnant woman who came to the hospital and she was positive. We managed the woman, delivered the baby. The baby is alive today and is negative of Lassa fever.

“The woman will be discharged today or tomorrow, because she has really done well and this is the second time we are having this experience in the country. The first one was in Irua, Edo State, our hospital is the second place which is a big feat that Ebonyi State, has achieved.

“As at two days ago, I was told that we have another pregnant woman that they are working on and by the special grace of God, it will be like this one I am talking about now.”