Suspected Case of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Kills Three Health Workers, Patient In Kaduna

Three healthcare workers at the emergency ward of the 44 Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna have reportedly died owing to a suspected case of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF).

As a result, the hospital’s administration has closed down the emergency ward, and samples taken from individuals who may have had contact with the deceased have been dispatched to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control laboratory in Kano for examination.

Brig. General S. O. Okoigi, the hospital’s Corps Commander, Medical, stated on Thursday:

“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.”

According to him, the common symptoms seen among those affected included fever and nonspecific malaria-like symptoms, with complications such as abnormal liver function, acute kidney failure, encephalopathy, microangiopathy, and elevated D-dimer.

“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.

He also mentioned that epidemiologists from Kaduna state have been called upon to assist in identifying the cause of the febrile illness to contain its spread, adding that strict infection prevention and control measures have been implemented, along with the administration of Ribavirin injection to suspected cases and contacts identified through tracing.

The hospital has been instructed to suspend the admission of new cases from the general public while addressing the situation.

Highlighting the heightened risk to healthcare workers, the Corps Commander emphasised the importance of strengthening infection prevention and control practices across all Nigerian Army health facilities.

In his words:

“Prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such outbreaks since treatment options are limited against a background of high mortality often recorded as in the current case at 44 Nigerian Amry Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

“This can be achieved by raising the level of hospital preparedness for VHF outbreaks through capacity building and ensuring universal precautions when dealing with all patients.

“Sequel to the previous, it is imperative that all units put strict IPC measures in place to safeguard hospital staff and patients immediately.

“Furthermore, IPC guidelines are to be strategically located for all members of staff to see and adhere to,” he stated

Read more: Hajia4Reall Pleads Guilty to $2m Romance Scam

About The Author

Joy Chukwu

author

See author's posts