By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, said it has lost two of its members to Lassa fever within 72 hours.
The Chairman of the Association in the state, Dr Ayotunde Fasunla, in a statement issued in Ibadan, described the incident as shocking and devastating.
He said the union was worried about other health workers who had contact with the diseased unknowingly.
He added that they have been advised to be quarantined as well as report if they develop any symptoms of viral haemorrhagic.
The association urged members to treat all febrile illnesses with a high index of suspicion, stressing that they should be cautious and vigilant at all times, not only for the sake of their health and safety, but also in the interest of the patients and public health.
NMA further appealed to members, especially the frontline doctors and other health workers, to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPEs) at all times.
It also enjoined management of health institutions in the state to make the PPEs readily available, as well as soap and running water for hand-washing immediately after attending to patients, to protect members and other healthcare workers from contracting transmissible infections.
The Oyo State government has also been advised to conduct intensive surveillance and sensitization on Lassa fever outbreaks in affected communities as well as across all local government areas in the state.
The association commiserated with the families of members, who lost their lives in the course of performing their professional duties to the service of humanity.
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