Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Abubakar Ahmadu Maishanu
Published on 2024-02-22 18:04:28
The Nigerian Army has assured residents that there is no need to panic over a suspected outbreak of Lassa fever at the Army Referral Hospital, 44 (NARHK) in Kaduna state. According to a report by PREMIUM TIMES, the outbreak resulted in the death of three health workers and a patient within two days. In response to this, the Army’s spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that the hospital facility has been disinfected, and the Accident and Emergency ward has been closed and evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Nwachukwu further mentioned that in line with best practice in managing such a situation, contact tracing was done to identify the index case which was traced to a non-military patient who was referred to the hospital. Despite the deaths of the health workers and patient, Nwachukwu assured the public that there was no cause for alarm as the situation was under control.
Measures have been put in place to curtail the spread of the disease. The Army passed directives that Prevention Control measures in and around all military healthcare facilities in Kaduna be stepped up, and all medical staff, their family members, and other patients on the contact tracing list have commenced appropriate management. The hospital facility has been disinfected, and the Accident and Emergency ward of the 44 NARHK has been evacuated to allow for thorough fumigation, decontamination, and other measures of Infection Prevention Control (IPC).
Samples from suspected contacts and the deceased have been sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis. Additionally, the Kaduna state Epidemiologists have been invited to help in unravelling the unfolding development. The Nigerian Army also provides medical services to civilians in its host communities, with about 500 civilians receiving medical attention weekly at 44NARHK. The organization has assured the public that it remains committed to providing medical services to its host communities despite the setback.
As of now, all Nigerian Army medical facilities in Kaduna and environs have been put on alert, with the need to emplace necessary IPC measures and closely monitor patients, staff, and family members. The Nigerian Army has called on the general public not to panic, as adequate measures have been put in place to contain the suspected outbreak. It also assured the public that its collaboration with all relevant stakeholders is open, transparent, and in tandem with international best practice.
The Nigerian Army emphasized its commitment to maintaining the relevant initiatives and strategies to mitigate the potential spread of Lassa fever in Kaduna. The details of the suspected outbreak have been escalated to relevant national and state agencies, and all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation promptly. The public is encouraged to remain calm and assured that the authorities are doing everything possible to manage and minimize any potential risk to the community.
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