23rd February, 2024
Two doctors, one nurse and a patient (the index case) have died of acute Viral Hemorrhagic disease, popularly called Lassa fever, at the Accident and Emergency unit of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital (NARHK) in Kaduna.
Although many more medical personnel may have been affected, the Nigeria Army headquarters in a statement, urged the public not to panic as the situation was bein addressed properly adressed.
In the statement released by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army said: “In line with best practice in managing such a situation, contact tracing to what is believed to be the index case has been made to a non-military patient who was referred to 44 NARHK from a peripheral medical facility. The suspected index patient was managed but subsequently died two weeks ago in the hospital.
“Sadly, three medical personnel of the hospital that had direct contact with the suspected index case have also died within the past 48 hours.
“In response to the suspected outbreak, directives have been passed that Infection Prevention Control (IPC) measures in and around all military health care facilities in Kaduna be stepped up as part of measures to curtail further spread and loss of lives.
“In this wise, all medical personnel of the hospital, their family members and other patients on the contact tracing list have commenced appropriate management and, so far, nothing of concern has been observed.
“Furthermore, the entire hospital facility has been disinfected, while immediate closure and evacuation of the Accident and Emergency ward of the 44 NARHK has been ordered to allow for thorough fumigation, decontamination and emplacement of other measures of IPC…
“As of the time of this statement, samples have been taken from suspected contacts and the deceased and sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis. Similarly, the Kaduna State epidemiologists have been invited to help in unraveling the unfolding development.”