The Dilemma in the Management of an Asymptomatic Patient with Confirmed Lassa Fever Viremia (a Case Report): Implication for Policy Action in the Control of Infectious Diseases of Public Health Importance in Nigeria

Background: Lassa fever is a potentially deadly viral haemorrhagic fever especially if the patient is not seen early enough for treatment. This report aims to present the faced regarding the settlement of the cost of treatment in a positive asymptomatic case. Case report: The case, a 22-year old student, was accidentally found to be positive to the RT-PCR test for Lassa fever though he was asymptomatic. He was then admitted into the isolation ward for ribavirin treatment. Apart from being a student, he had just lost his mother to Lassa fever disease; he partook in the nursing of his late mother while she was ill. Conclusion: The question begging for answer is who should have been responsible for the payment of the bills incurred by this indigent patient considering the public health importance of his admission and treatment?