An outbreak of Lassa fever has claimed the life of a nurse treating patients at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.
A source at the hospital said the nurse, Ewogu Nkechi, died last weekend and was buried immediately based on Lassa fever control protocol.
She has been attached to the emergency department of AE-FUTHA since December 2019. She was a graduate of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and hailed from the Ikwo Local Government Area of the State.
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When contacted for his reaction, the Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Dr. Moses Ekuma, confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, saying the state epidemiologist and other health personnel are on top of the outbreak.
“Actually, there is an outbreak of Lassa Fever. It is not only in Ebonyi State. It affected other places more especially those areas that are prone to the outbreak.
“The state epidemiologist and other health teams are on top of it to ensure its prevention and control,” he said.
