FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – Management of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia (FUTH), has issued a public health advisory urging staff, students, patients and visitors to remain vigilant following the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The hospital’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) said that, although no confirmed case has been recorded within the hospital environment or in Nigeria, but precautionary measures have become necessary to prevent any possible spread of the deadly disease.
In the advisory statement signed on Tuesday by the Rapid Response Team Leader, Dr Anazodo Michael Chidi, the hospital stressed the need for strict compliance with infection prevention and control measures across all units of the institution.
“The Bundibugyo strain, currently under surveillance, can spread rapidly in healthcare and community settings if preventive measures are not strictly observed,” the statement said.
The hospital explained that Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal viral illness caused by orthoebolaviruses and warned that transmission could occur through direct contact with blood or body fluids of infected persons, contaminated medical equipment and surfaces, unsafe care giving or burial practices, as well as exposure to infected wild animals.
According to the advisory, symptoms of the disease may appear within two to 21 days after exposure and include sudden fever, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
“Any suspected case must be treated as a medical emergency,” the statement added.
FUTH Lafia directed all clinical staff to maintain a high index of suspicion, particularly in patients presenting with fever and possible travel or exposure history.
The hospital also instructed healthcare workers to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and immediately isolate and report suspected cases through the hospital surveillance system.
Laboratory personnel were equally advised to exercise extreme caution in specimen handling and transportation while ensuring proper disinfection and biosafety procedures.
The advisory further appealed to patients, care givers and visitors to observe regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with body fluids of sick persons, and promptly report symptoms to healthcare workers.
“As a hospital community, we must avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement noted.
The management disclosed that the hospital has intensified surveillance and case-detection systems, staff sensitisation, isolation preparedness, infection prevention measures, and community risk communication strategies as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity.
The hospital, however, noted that supportive care remains the major treatment option for the Bundibugyo strain, explaining that there is currently no fully approved vaccine or specific therapy for the strain under surveillance.
“Early detection, prompt isolation, and strict adherence to infection prevention measures remain the best defence against the disease,” Dr Anazodo Michael Chidi stated.
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
