Ebonyi Lassa fever deaths rise to 46

By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka

There is uncertainty in Ebonyi State as the Ministry of Health has revealed that the state recorded 53 cases in 2023 while 46 people lost their lives as a result of Lassa fever outbreak.
This was disclosed by the Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, state Ministry of Health, Orogwu Sampson, through a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lucy Anyim, at the weekend in Abakiliki, the state capital.
The statement said that from January 4th to February 16th, 2024, no fewer than 25 people had been infected, including two healthcare workers, with 10 deaths.

Orogwu said the disease cuts across all ages and explained that, of the 25 confirmed cases,16 victims were male, while nine people were female.
He added that those who died comprised a pregnant woman, two children, men and women.
Orogwu stated 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
The official added that the treatment is free, and urged people to go for early detection, early presentation and treatment, to avoid further loss of lives.

The State Epidemiologist, 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 of an infected person has touched; as well as maintain high level of personal and environmental hygiene like covering their food and utensils properly.