Lassa Fever Hits UNIZIK

 

A student of the Nnamdi Azikwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has reportedly contacted Lassa fever.

According to PUNCH, the affected student has been transferred to a Lassa fever center in Ebonyi State.

The source who spoke to the newspaper said, “The student was on admission at the Unizik Clinic Awka for some days.

“She was referred to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka and has been confirmed to have Lassa fever.

“The student has been transferred to the Lassa fever center in Ebonyi.

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“Stories have it that there were lots of contacts amongst students before she was taken away from her environment.

“We have to be vigilant, battle-ready and prayerful. “

This incident has been confirmed via a memo issued by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital.

The memo states, “On behalf of the Hospital Management, I wish to inform the entire hospital community that COOUTH received a suspected case of Lassa fever from Unizik Medical Centre.

“Specimen was collected and sent to Irruah, Edo State for confirmation. The result eventually came out yesterday (Thursday) and was positive.

“The state emergency response team of the Ministry of Health, who has been in the know all along, has moved the patient to Abakiliki and necessary decontamination has been done in the ward where the patient was nursed.

“The management is most grateful and appreciates all the staff involved in the management as they displayed a commendable concept of the universal precaution.

“Going further, the management wishes to implore all staff to go about their normal duties as there is no cause for alarm. However, all must always remember to be vigilant and apply universal precautions.”

The school’s management is yet to release any statement.