Alert: Two Lassa Fever Patients Flee Hospital In Kaduna

SAN FRANCISCO, March 07, (THEWILL) – Muhammed Ibrahim, Chairman of Kaduna State branch of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has disclosed that two Lassa fever patients in the state are on the run with efforts being made to find them

Ibrahim disclosed this in a news conference on Monday, in Kaduna, where he disclosed that the two persons showed symptoms of Lassa fever and were put under surveillance before their sudden disappearance.

He also told reporters that about 10 primary and 28 secondary contacts of the three dead Lassa fever patients at Saint Louis Hospital in Zonkwa were under surveillance, while another nurse at the hospital, who was tested positive to the disease, had been placed under isolation at the State Infectious Disease Centre in Kakuri, Kaduna South Local Government Area.

While advising residents of the state to observe a good hygiene in order not to contact the disease, Ibrahim urged them to avoid contact with rats and foods contaminated with rat secretions or excretions.

He also cautioned health workers and other caregivers to always avoid contact with blood and body fluids while attending to sick persons.

The cautioned that the sudden disappearance of the suspected Lassa fever patients could jeopardise effort by government to curtail the spread of the disease.

The Association therefore called on the public and health workers attending to any suspected Lassa fever patient to contact the relevant authorities for prompt action.

On February 29, three persons were confirmed dead at the Saint Louis Specialist Hospital in Zonkwa, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of the state following the outbreak of Lassa fever.

The state's commissioner for health, Jonathan Nok, who confirmed the incident, told reporters that a medical doctor, a nurse and a pregnant woman were among the deceased.

Story by David Oputah