The Ebonyi State Ministry of Health said that the state recorded 53 cases while 36 people lost their lives as a result of the Lassa Fever outbreak across the state in 2023.
According to a statement made public on Saturday in Abakiliki by the Public Relations Officer, Lucy Anyim, this is the position of Sampson Orogwu , the Disease Surveillance Notification Officer of the state Ministry of Health.
The statement added that from 4th January to February 16, 2024, about 25 people have been infected including 2 healthcare workers with 10 deaths.
He added that people of various ages are affected by the illness. Notably, of the 25 verified instances, 16 individuals were male and 9 were female, noting that the deceased included males, women, a pregnant woman, and two children.
Orogwu explained that 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.
“The other LGAs 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.
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 a high level of personal and environmental hygiene like covering their food and utensils properly.
He appreciated the State Government for giving them a large volume of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to give to health workers at National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in Abakiliki to ensure that their own health workers are alive to save others.
