Suspected Outbreak of Lassa Fever Reported in Ebonyi State, Health Workers Killed
Category: Health and Medical
Severity: 2 (Low)
Source: Drum Cussac
01/16/2018 (Nigeria) - According to local media sources on Tuesday, 16 January, a suspected outbreak of Lassa fever has killed two doctors and a nurse at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki in Ebonyi state. The deaths reportedly caused doctors and nurses to leave their posts at the hospital, disrupting normal operations. The patients displayed symptoms of haemorrhagic fever, causing doctors to suspect Lassa. Samples have been sent for testing, but results are unconfirmed at this time.
Lassa fever is transmitted by rats and other rodents, typically through exposure to urine or faeces of the carrier animal, but can also be contracted from person-to-person in densely populated areas with poor sanitary conditions. Symptoms of the disease, which has an incubation period of up to 21 days, include fever, sore throat, muscle aches, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. While the risk of infection to most travellers is low unless they have had direct contact with patients infected with the virus, they are nonetheless advised to take additional precautions for health, hygiene and sanitation. If displaying any of the aforementioned symptoms, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
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