*7 LGAs affected
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Following an outbreak of Lassa Fever in Ebonyi State, 10 persons have reportedly lost their lives, while 25 others are infected.
The local government areas affected include Onicha, Ikwo, Ezza North, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaukwu, Abakaliki with Hausa quarters and Nkaliki residential areas recording the highest number of cases.
According to the Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, Ministry of Health, Mr. Orogwu Sampson, the state recorded 53 cases last year, while 36 people lost their lives, adding that from January 4 to February 16, 2024, about 25 people have been infected including two healthcare workers with 10 deaths recorded.
While he said that the disease cuts across all ages, he noted that out of the 25 confirmed cases,16 people are men, whereas nine are women, disclosing that those who died comprised: a pregnant woman, two children, men and women.
“Other LGAs apart from, Onicha, Ikwo, Ezza North, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaukwu, Abakaliki with Hausa quarters and Nkaliki residential areas that have not recorded a case so far may be because they have not reported not that it doesn’t exist there”.
He said that the treatment is free and urged people to go for early detection, early presentation and treatment to avoid further loss of lives.
On his part, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ogbonna Nwambeke enumerated the efforts of the state government together with the partners such as WHO, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, UNICEF among others to reduce the ugly menace and called for provision of logistics to increase surveillance and community engagement against risk factors.
Dr. Nwambeke advised people to stop bush burning, avoid eating rats and not to touch the surface an infected person has touched as well as maintain high level of personal and environmental hygiene like covering their food and utensils properly.
He appreciated the state government for giving them large volume of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to give to health workers at National Obstetrics Fistula Centre to ensure that their own health workers are alive to save others.
It is worthy to note that Lassa Fever is a hemorrhagic illness that occurs every dry season in Ebonyi State, but the outbreak is different this year as it started so early.
