Samples taken from suspected contacts of the deceased have been sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis.’
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The authority of 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, has shut down the emergency ward of the hospital after 3 medical staff and a patient died from suspected outbreak of viral hemorrhagic fever.
Samples taken from suspected contacts of the deceased have been sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis.
The hospital’s Corps Commander, Medical, Brig. General, S. O. Okoigi, in a statement issued on Thursday, February 22, 2024, said the common symptoms in those affected included fever and nonspecific symptoms like malaria, noting that the illness was complicated by abnormal liver function, acute kidney failure, encephalopathy, microangiopathy, and elevated D-dimer, among others.
He added, “The Accident and Emergency Department of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, has lost three members of staff and a patient suspected to have died from acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, VHF.
“This followed the management of a patient with febrile illness thought to have been the index patient with the disease 10 days ago. The patient also died from the suspected disease condition.
“The Accident and Emergency has been closed for thorough disinfection process and samples have been taken from suspected contacts and the deceased and sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, laboratory in Kano for analysis,” the Corps Commander added.
Similarly, he said the Kaduna State epidemiologists have been invited to help unravel the aetiology of the febrile illness to stop the spread of the disease, in addition to the strict disease infection prevention and control measures that have been directed to be placed.
The Commander added that Ribavirin injection (antiviral agent) has also been administered on other suspected cases and contacts traced.
In the interim, the hospital has also been directed to suspend accepting new cases from the general public while the situation is being contained.
He said, “Prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such outbreak since treatment options are limited against a background of high mortality often recorded as in the current case at 44 Nigerian Amry Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
“This can be achieved by raising the level of hospital preparedness for VHF outbreaks through capacity building and ensuring the use of universal precautions when dealing with all patients.
“Sequel to the foregoing, it is imperative that all units put in place strict IPC measures immediately to safeguard hospital staff and patients.
“Furthermore, IPC guidelines are to be strategically located for all members of staff to see and adhere to.”