Katsina hospital confirms isolated patient negative

ben adhoc

January 25, 2016 12:19 PM

The patient was kept in an isolated ward at the hospital when he displayed symptoms of Lassa fever and relevant authorities were informed.

It is reported that the lassa fever is transmitted by rats.

Dr Kabir Bakori, the Medical Director of Funtua General Hospital, Funtua in Katsina State, said that the suspected isolated Lassa Fever patient (names withheld) from Sabuwa Local Government Area, had tested negative to the disease.

Bakori told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the two-year-old patient spent 10 days in the hospital. The patient was kept in an isolated ward at the hospital when he displayed symptoms of Lassa fever and relevant authorities were informed.

Bakori said that a team of specialised doctors from the state Ministry of Health came to the hospital and took samples from the patient for test in specialised laboratories in Lagos. According to him, findings have revealed that the patient was free of Lassa Fever and has been transferred to the paediatric ward where he is being treated for Malaria, Anaemia and Pneumonia.

He commended the hospital medical workers for their timely report of the case. The medical director said that the hospital had taken delivery of Personal Protective Gowns, (PPG) and other protective materials for workers to ensure prompt response to any suspected case of Lassa fever.

Bakori advised the public to be wary of rats, remnants of food items and other consumables in their homes and work places as these animals were primarily responsible for spreading the disease. He commended the Federal and the Katsina State Governments for being prompt in their responses to combat the outbreak of the disease.

The medical director urged the public to always keep their bodies and environments clean by adhering to rules of hygiene and thus prevent the spread of the disease.

ben adhoc