Lassa fever: nurses, patients abandon hospital, affected unit shut

Ebun Francis

To prevent further escalation of Lassa fever disease, which has claimed two lives, between last Friday and Sunday, the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Idi- Aba, Abeokuta, has closed the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital. The closure is to forestall the spread of the virus.

Segun Orisajo, the public relation officer of the hospital disclosed this to journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

According to him, “In order to forestall escalation of this Lassa fever virus,  we have put in place  some precautionary measures.

“We have decontaminated and fumigated the  place.  Nurses have been screened,  bedding have been sanitised  and  by  tomorrow or Friday the place will be reopened.

“It is to prevent further escalation of the virus. We have held a meeting  this morning and we have told our nurses and doctors on the need for safety awareness.”

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Activities at hospital had been  put on hold follwing the desertion of medical personnel and patients on Tuesday after the death of an assistant nursing officer, Adesuyi Abolanle and a serving corps  member, Great Okusaga.

The late assistant nursing officer,Adesuyi was said to have attended to the corps member who had contacted the virus while working as morgue attendant in the hospital.