LASSA FEVER CLAIMS 46 DEATHS IN EBONYI

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State Ministry of Health says it has recorded forty-six deaths as a result of Lassa Fever outbreak in some parts of the state within the last two months.

The Disease Surveillance Notification Officer in the State, Mr. Samson Orogwu, who spoke to Radio Nigeria on the development in Abakaliki explained that nine Local Government Areas in the state were affected.

Although no dry season passes without Lassa Fever cases been reported in Ebonyi State, this 2024 outbreak took a different dimension as it began quite early with about 53 confirmed cases recorded in last December.

The Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, Ministry of Health, Mr. Samson Orogwu, explained that within last December, 36 lass fever related deaths were recorded.

He also pointed out that in the last six weeks, 25 confirmed cases, including two health workers were reported, with ten of them already dead.

Mr. Orogwu said local government areas with impact rate included Izzi, Ikwo, Onicha, Ebonyi, Ezza North, Ohaukwu and Abakaliki with Hausa Quarters as well as Nkaliki residential areas recording the highest number of cases.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ogbonna Nwambeke, described 40 percent case fatality in the state as unacceptable and called for the provision of logistics to increase surveillance and community engagement against risk factors.

Dr. Nwambeke urged the people of the state to desist from consuming rats and to maintain high level of personal hygiene such as ensuring that their food was not exposed to rat urines and droppings.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU