Lassa Fever: Tension Rise as Patients, Nurses Flee FMC, Asaba.

The death of two patients at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba over the Lassa fever outbreak has continued to unsettle patients in the hospital as tension grew daily, with many patients and nurses running off from the hospital over fears of the disease which has reportedly killed 55 persons across the country in the last few weeks since its outbreak.

Delta state Health Commissioner, Dr. Nicholas Azinge said “I know some persons have died, I cannot speak further on that because the Federal Ministry of Health is already doing something to sensitize the people and we in Delta State are also sensitising our people”.

The acting Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Victor Osiatumeh said “It is not as if Nurses or patients have fled the hospital, as for the nurses and doctors, they are careful with protective measures to ensure they too are not contacted, the situation as a matter of fact is precarious but we are managing it, especially the twenty two persons quarantined”.

Two weeks ago a 65-year old woman from Anambra State died of the disease at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba after being managed for a period of time. Since then there has been panic and fear of the unknown across the State.