From IsaacOjo, Nnewi
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH),Nnewi, Anambra State, Prof Anthony Igwegbe, has explained that there is no caseof Lassa fever in the hospital.
Prof Igwegbewho was reacting to a wild runour in andoutside the Nnewi town that the hospital is presently handling some Lassa feverpatients, described the rumour as unfounded and false.
He, however,noted that the only Lassa case recorded in Anambra state was that of NnamdiAzikiwe University student which was initially handled by Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityTeaching Hospital, Awka, and that the affected student was later transferred tothe Disease Control Center in Ebonyi state.
“We hada patient who presented Lassa fever suspicious indices, we immediately sentsamples to Federal Disease Control Center, Irrua but the result came outnegative. That is not the only time we have sent sample to Irrua forconfirmation, in fact we have done that about fifteen times and all the resultswere negative.” Igwegbe said.
He, however,noted that the hospital is adequately equipped to handle Lassa fever and otherhealth issues once the status of the patients are confirmed.
The CMD urged the people to embrace personal hygiene and also avoid food that will make them susceptible to the disease.
