UCTH Alerts Health Workers, Public Of Lassa Fever Outbreak In Cross River

By Godwin Otang

The University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), has called on medical service providers to observe universal prevention protocol in seeing all patients over the recent outbreak of Lassa Fever in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

In an internal memo dated 18th January 2024, signed by Dr. Micheal Enyong (CMAC), and addressed to heads of departments, unit heads, and the hospital community, the UCTH calls on medical doctors, nurses, healthcare providers, and the hospital community to be on the lookout.

The memo reads: “There has been a report of an outbreak of Lassa fever in Obubra LGA of Cross River State. One patient has been reported dead and the infection was confirmed through laboratory testing.

“Medical doctors, nurses, other health care providers, and indeed the hospital community are hereby notified to be on the lookout for suspected cases. We should be suspicious when we see any case of abnormal bleeding, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, epistasis, fever, malaise, muscle aches, etc.”

The UCTH urges medical workers to “observe universal prevention protocol in seeing all patients and to avoid patients’ secretions by wearing protective clothing such as masks, gloves, gown, and goggles.”