An immediate closure of St. Vincent Hospital in Ebonyi State has been ordered by Governor Dave Umahi following a suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever in the hospital.
The order to close down the hospital was issued on Friday by Mr Francis Nwaze, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media.
The staffs and patients of the hospital where told to visit the virology Centre at Abakaliki for a comprehensive medical examination.
The governor also said that all the family members and close relatives of the patients and staff of St. Vincent Hospital should be quarantined at the South-East Virology Centre, for close medical observation.
The Governor ensured that the Lassa fever outbreak would be controlled and through the help of the Ministry of Health, the spread of the disease would be handled properly.
The Statement said:
“Gov. Dave Umahi has directed that the Ministry of Health under the watch of Dr Daniel Umezurike, Commissioner for Health, in conjunction with the staff of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, to immediately address all issues relating to the Lassa fever outbreak.
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“The engagement should include a comprehensive examination of all suspects and the clean-up of St. Vincent Hospital.
“It should also include the placement of precautionary announcements in all media houses in the state on the preventive measures of Lassa fever.’’