Suspected outbreaks of Lassa Fever reported in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna State Government said its attention has been drawn to a suspected outbreak of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever popularly known as “Lassa Fever” at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital located in the capital city of Kaduna.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammad Lawal Shehu stated this in a statement made in Kaduna yesterday.
The statement stated that Governor Uba Sani on learning of this potentially dangerous outbreak directed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to immediately investigate and ascertain the situation at the health facility.
Consequently, a surveillance team was promptly mobilized to assess the situation and containment measures were initiated alongside the hospital management.
Lassa Fever generally infects victims with the following symptoms – fever, general body weakness and after a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain.
Currently, four deaths have been recorded within the hospital premises while three other patients with similar symptoms are currently being managed.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Health and the management of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospitals, are working assiduously to contain the situation as all those who came in contact with those infected have been identified and are closely being monitored while receiving urgent medical treatment.
Furthermore, samples have been carefully collected from contacts and sent for confirmation to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control laboratory and are closely being followed up.
Additionally, all Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures have been instituted at the facility while it remains closed to the public until full containment has been achieved.