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The Accident and Emergency, A&E, 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 was said in a statement from Brigadier Gen. Aso Okoigi, who stated that the illness is complicated by abnormal liver function, acute kidney failure, encephalopathy, microangiopathy, elevated D-Dimer, and fever. He also mentioned nonspecific symptoms that are similar to malaria in those affected.
Similarly, the statement said that to stop the disease's spread, Kaduna State epidemiologists have been asked to assist in determining the cause of the febrile illness.
The statement further asserted that stringent disease prevention and control measures be taken.
The Statement Read, “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 statement explained.
It said the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital has also been directed to suspend accepting new cases from the general public in the interim while the situation is being contained.
It further stated that the significant risk of contracting VHF among healthcare workers underscores the need to strengthen IPC practices across all Nigerian Army health facilities.
'Prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such outbreaks since treatment options are limited'
