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EBONYI: Lassa fever resurfaces, claims 2 doctors, 1 nurse, others hospitalised

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Unprovoked killings can cause civil war, Umahi says as herdsmen attack Ebonyi

Lassa fever outbreak in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has claimed some healthcare providers at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA).

Sources said that two doctors and a nurse died at the weekend while some persons are in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

A hospital source told Ripples Nigeria that “A medical student and a nurse are also receiving treatment at the moment with poor prognostic indices.”

While urging anyone going to the state to be careful, he also advised those presently in the state to employ the universal precautions of infectious viral diseases.

Read also: Lagos gov’t bans cart pushers, says they’re a threat

When contacted on the telephone, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state, Dr Austin Ikwudimma, confirmed the outbreak of the disease.

He however expressed fear that more people might be affected as it has potency of wide range spread.

Lassa fever outbreak had repeatedly claimed the lives of medical personnel and others in the state.

The last outbreak about two years ago motivated Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi to build and donate a virology centre within the FETHA.

Our findings indicate that the centre is yet to be put to full use by the hospital due to failure of the Federal Government to provide the required manpower.

Patients and samples are still taken from Ebonyi to the Federal Specialist Hospital, Irrua in Edo State.

By Ajansii Mgbom…

 

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