Nigerian Army Takes Swift Action in Response to Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
Nigerian Army Takes Swift Action in Response to Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
Nigerian Army Takes Swift Action in Response to Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
In response to concerns about a suspected outbreak of what appears to be a Viral Hemorrhagic Disease, possibly Lassa Fever, the Nigerian Army has taken immediate and comprehensive steps to manage the situation and allay public apprehension.
The suspected outbreak was identified in the Accident and Emergency unit of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, resulting in the unfortunate death of medical staff serving in the hospital. The suspected index case, believed to be a non-military patient referred to the hospital, has also sadly passed away, along with three medical staff who had direct contact with the patient within the past 48 hours.
To address the situation, Nigerian Army has intensified Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in and around all military healthcare facilities in Kaduna. The entire hospital facility has undergone disinfection, and the Accident and Emergency ward of the 44 NARHK has been closed for thorough fumigation and decontamination.
“Contact tracing has been initiated, with medical staff, their family members, and other patients on the list undergoing appropriate management. Samples have been collected from suspected contacts and the deceased, sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis. Collaboration with relevant national and state agencies, including the Kaduna state Epidemiologists, has been actively pursued to investigate and contain the situation, ” the statement signed by Major General Onyema Ugochukwu, the director, army public relations, revealed.
The Nigerian Army emphasises its commitment to providing medical services to civilians in its host communities and assures the public that measures have been put in place to contain the suspected outbreak. Members of the general public are urged not to panic, as the Nigerian Army works transparently and collaboratively with stakeholders to address the situation.
Nigerian Army Takes Swift Action in Response to Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
