Lassa fever kills 25 in southern Nigeria, 17 health workers infected

At least 25 people have of Lassa fever in Ebonyi state in southern Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Ebonyi State chapter,eight doctors, four nurses and five other health workers may have also contracted the disease.

 

The workers participated in a surgical procedure on a pregnant woman at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA). The association said the affected healthcare workers have been moved to Edo State for further treatment.

NMA said the pregnant woman and her baby died few days after they were discharged from the hospital.

The association said: “In 2005, we lost five nurses who died of Lassa fever contracted in the cause of their duty. In 2008, we had six cases and two doctors died in the cause of treating them. In 2011, we had seven cases and two deaths. In 2012, they were 20 cases with six deaths. In 2013, they were 21 cases with eight deaths. In 2014, we have, so far, 18 cases and two deaths.”

Speaking to newsmen, the state Chairman of NMA, Dr. Chidi Esike, said the affected medical professionals had been transferred to the Specialist Hospital, Irrua, in Edo State for diagnosis and immediate medical attention.

“The sad aspect of this whole saga is that since all these times that this woman and her child were managed with several doctors, nurses and all kinds of health workers exposed to the risk of the deadly Lassa fever virus, we are still suspecting that we have cases of Lassa fever in our land.

“17 health workers in the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki are suspected to be affected by Lassa fever. As we alert our people and health workers about the presence and dangers of Lassa fever, they should take all necessary steps, including covering their food properly to avoid contact with rats, preventing rats from entering their houses and avoid the eating of rat meat in order to prevent Lassa fever,” he said.