by Osita Chinedu
The Ebonyi State Ministry of Health has reported a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
According to a statement issued by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health’s Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, Mr. Orogwu Sampson and made public through the Public Relations Officer Miss Lucy Anyim in Abakaliki, from January 4, to February 16, 2024, about 25 persons have been infected with the disease which included 2 heath workers and 10 deaths recorded.
The statement further read that the Local Government Areas affected included: Onicha, Ikwo, Ezza North, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaukwu, Abakaliki with Hausa quarters and Nkaliki residential quarters recording the highest number of cases.
It affirmed equally that the other Local Government Areas not captured in the statement were probably as a result of infection cases not being reported and not an indication of a non-existence of the outbreak in those areas.
Mr. Orogwu in the statement encouraged the people to visit the hospital for early detection, early presentation and treatment to avoid further loss of lives since the government has made the treatment free of charge.
The Ebonyi state Epidemiologist, Dr. Ogbonna Nwambeke identified the efforts of the state government with other partners such as the UNICEF, World Health Organisation, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, and many others in the bid to curb the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state and called for heightened surveillance and more community engagement for better management of possible risk factors.
Dr. Ogbonna thanked the state government for providing the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in Abakaliki with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the safety of the health workers while providing health care services to others and went on to encourage citizens to desist from eating rats, maintain a high personal and environmental hygiene as well as avoid touching surfaces where infected persons have touched.
