Patients, Nurses Flee FMC Asaba As 2 Lassa Fever Patients Die

Lassa fever (INSET) Image source: telegraph.co.uk

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.

The Punch report continues:

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 sensitizing 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.