The 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna has shut its Accident and Emergency Department for disinfection after three staff members and a patient have reportedly died.
This is according to a statement signed by the Acting Corp Commander Medical (CCM) of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General S.O Okoigi.
He disclosed that samples have been sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for analysis.
Okirigi said the department would be thoroughly disinfected.
He said samples had been sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for analysis.
VHFs are a group of several unique families of viruses.
The statement on Thursday said, “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.”
He said that 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.
“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.
The Kaduna state epidemiologists have been invited to help in unravelling the aetiology of the febrile illness to curtail the spread of the disease.
He said, “Prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such an outbreak since treatment options are limited against a background of high mortality often recorded as in the current case at 44 Nigerian Army 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.”