Nigeria Army Referral Hospital in Kaduna as reports confirm the tragic deaths of three healthcare workers and a patient within a span of two days. The outbreak of a puzzling illness has sent shockwaves through the medical community, with suspicions pointing to Acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) as the culprit.
In an internal memo dated February 21, signed by Brigadier General SO Okoigi, the hospital authorities disclosed the alarming developments to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps. The casualties, all associated with the management of a patient afflicted by the disease, have sparked urgent measures to contain the spread of the contagion.
According to the memo, the symptoms exhibited by the victims initially resembled those of malaria but swiftly progressed to include acute kidney failure and other severe complications. The hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit has been temporarily closed for extensive disinfection, while samples have been dispatched to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory for thorough analysis.
In response to the crisis, Kaduna State epidemiologists have been summoned to assist in identifying the root cause of the illness and devising strategies to mitigate its dissemination. Stringent infection prevention and control protocols have been enforced, including the administration of antiviral medication to suspected cases and individuals identified through contact tracing.
The hospital has ceased admitting new patients from the general public as a precautionary measure, emphasizing the paramount importance of bolstering infection control practices to safeguard both healthcare workers and patients alike. As authorities mobilize to address the outbreak, adherence to stringent protocols and swift action remain pivotal in containing the spread of the disease.
This unfolding tragedy underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance and preparedness in combatting infectious diseases, with prevention emerging as the cornerstone of effective response strategies. The military hospital, alongside health facilities nationwide, faces a critical test in fortifying its defenses against emerging health threats, as the nation confronts the formidable challenge posed by the mysterious outbreak.
