Lassa Fever: St Vincent Hospital Quarantined In Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Government ordered that St Vincent Hospital, Igbeagu in Izzi Local Government Area be shut down on Friday.

This is coming after the death of one Ephraim Ogaranya due to fresh outbreak of Lassa Fever in Ebonyi, as the victim was admitted in the said hospital before his death.

He was said to have been admitted with his sibling, Uchechi, at the hospital but the death of Ephraim made him (Uchechi) to be transferred to the South East Virology Centre in Abakaliki for further treatment.

The two siblings were suspected to be infected by the dreaded Lassa Fever in the area.

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The state governor, David Umahi, gave the order for the shutting down of the hospital with immediate effect.

The governor further directed all the patients and staff of the hospital submit themselves to the Virology Center at Abakaliki for comprehensive medical examination.

A statement issued on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze, said the governor directed that other precautionary measures be taken to prevent further escalation of the outbreak.

“The governor directed that all the family members and close relatives of the above be quarantined at the South East Virology Center, Abakaliki for comprehensive medical examination.

“Also, Governor Umahi has directed that the Ministry of Health under the watch of the Commissioner for Health in conjunction with the Staff of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, to immediately address all issues relating to the Lassa Fever outbreak including comprehensive examination of all suspects and clean up of St. Vincent Hospital.

“Precautionary announcement should be placed in all media houses in the state on preventive measures of Lassa Fever,” he said.