Doctor die of Lassa fever in Abakaliki

Doctor die of Lassa fever in Abakaliki
Source: The Nation


A Doctor has reportedly died of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, otherwise known as Lassa fever, in Ebonyi State.

Some other doctors are being treated for the disease at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Abakaliki.
Though no official confirmation has been made by the Ministry of Health, doctors have raised the alarm over the outbreak of the disease.

Some doctors at the FTH, who spoke to our reporter, regretted the outbreak of the disease, adding that doctors are prone to it since they are exposed to infected patients.

The doctors called for the quick intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health to forestall the spread of the disease.

The outbreak of Lassa fever was first reported in the state in 2008. Several people died. They included two doctors and other health workers. 

Last year, four persons said to be residing at the Military cantonment, Nkwoagu, near Abakaliki also died of the disease.

The government said it has set up an emergency response team for the treatment and control of outbreak of communicable diseases, such as Lassa fever, gastroenteritis and meningitis, usually associated with dry season.

The Commissioner for Health, Sunday Nwangele, said this while addressing stakeholders in Abakaliki.
Nwangele said epidemiologists from the ministry had been deployed to health facilities in the state to check the possible spread of the disease.

He urged the people to report any suspected case to a hospital or the epidemiology unit of the ministry.
The commissioner said the ministry had procured drugs for the treatment of the disease, adding that more was still expected from the Federal Ministry of Health.