Tension over Lassa fever outbreak has
continued to unsettled patients at the Federal
Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba following the
death of two patients within four days. While many of the patients and nurses have
fled the hospital for fear of the unknown, no
fewer than over 55 persons have been
reportedly killed across the country in the last
few weeks of its outbreak. Investigation revealed that it took the efforts of
the Health workers at the FMC to remove the
bodies of the two patients reportedly said to
have died of the diseases. The two victims (names withheld), hospital
sources said died two days interval after being
managed for a week plus but the State Health
Commissioner, Dr. Nicholas Azinge who
refused to confirm the incident, said “I know
some persons have died, I cannot speak further on that because the Federal Ministry of
Health is already doing something to sensitize
the people and we in Delta State are also
sensitising our people”. With twenty-two patients quarantined at
present at the hospital, further investigation
revealed that there are palpable tension and
fear of the unknown among the health
workers, especially the doctors who feared
that the disease may be something else. A Doctor who did not want his name in the
print, said “We too we are afraid of the present
situation with over twenty two persons already
quarantined and so far three have died, so the
situation expresses deep fears of the
unknown, but by the grace of God, we shall overcome the situation”. But in a swift reaction, the acting Medical
Director of the Hospital, Dr. Victor Osiatumeh
said “It is not as if Nurses or patients have fled
the hospital, as for the nurses and doctors,
they are careful with protective measures to
ensure they too are not contacted, the situation as a matter of fact is precarious but we are
managing it, especially the twenty two persons
quarantined”. Further investigation revealed that relations of
the twenty-two quarantined persons are also
careful with a view to ensuring they are not
infected with the disease. Two weeks ago a 65-year old woman from
Anambra State died of the disease at the
Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba after being
managed for a period of time. Since then there
has been panic and fear of the unknown
across the State.
Source: PunchNg
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Patients & Nurses Flee Federal Medical Centre Asaba As 2 Lassa Fever Patients DieCreated at 2016-01-24
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