• 17 health workers feared affected

THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ebonyi State chapter Thursday revealed that no fewer than 25 people have been killed by the deadly Lassa fever in the state.

The association said eight doctors, four nurses and five other health workers are feared to have contacted the lassa fever after they participated in operating a pregnant woman at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) and have been moved to Edo State for further treatment.

According to NMA, the pregnant woman and her baby (names withheld) later died a few days after they were discharged from the hospital.

The breakdown, according to NMA, shows that “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.”

At a press conference, the state Chairman of NMA, Dr. Chidi Esike, stated that the affected medical personnel had been moved to the Specialist Hospital, Irrua, in Edo State for diagnosis and immediate medical attention.

According to him, the refusal of the Federal Government to provide a virology centre in the South East geopolitical zone in the face of overwhelming evidence of the need for such has threatened the gains in the health sector.

“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.

“Today 15th May, 2014, 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.