Ebonyi state government has ordered for the immediate closure of St. Vincent Mission Hospital, in Igbeagu, Izzi local government area, following the recent outbreak of lassa fever disease in the area.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Friday by the Special Assistance to the Governor on Media, Mr. Francis Nwaze and made available to journalists.
Government also directed all patients and staff of the hospital to submit themselves to the South East Virology Center, Abakaliki for comprehensive medical examination.
While family members and close relatives of the patients and the staff are to be quarantined at the Virology Center, to make sure they are free from the deadly disease.
Governor Umahi further directed the state Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Staff of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki to immediately address all issues relating to the lassa fever outbreak, including comprehensive examination of all on the list.
He also instructed that St. Vincent Hospital should be cleaned up, stating that precautionary announcement should be placed in all media houses in the state on preventive measures of Lassa Fever.
The statement reads: “Following the suspected outbreak of Lassa Fever at St. Vincent Hospital, Igbeagu, Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has directed the closure of the hospital with immediate effect and all the patients and staff of the said hospital are to submit themselves to the virology center at Abakaliki for comprehensive medical examination.
