The Ebonyi State Ministry of Health has announced that the state had recorded 53 cases of Lassa Fever in 2023 and 36 people lost their lives as a result of the outbreak across the state.
This information is according to the Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, state Ministry of Health, Orogwu Sampson, through a statement made by the Public Relations officer, Miss Lucy Anyim on Saturday, February 17, in Abakiliki.
The statement further revealed that from 4th January to February 16, 2024, 25 people were infected including 2 healthcare workers and 10 deaths were recorded.
Sampson emphasised that the disease cuts across all ages and that out of the 25 confirmed cases, 16 of them were males while 9 people were females. For the deaths, those who died comprised; a pregnant woman, two children, men and women.
The Local Government Areas affected by the outbreak include; Onicha, Ikwo, Ezza North, Ebonyi, Izzi, Ohaukwu, Abakaliki with the Hausa quarters and Nkaliki residential areas recording the highest number of cases.
Sampson also added that treatment was free and encouraged people to go for early detection, early presentation and treatment to prevent further loss of lives.
Meanwhile, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ogbonna Nwambeke identified the efforts of the State Government and its partners: WHO, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, UNICEF to reduce the ugly menace and had called for assistance in terms of logistics to widen surveillance and community engagement against risk factors.
As an added advice, Nwambeke urged people to stop bush burning, avoid eating rats and to avoid touching the surface an infected person has come in contact with. People were also advised to maintain a high level of personal and environmental hygiene like covering their food and utensils properly to avoid them getting infected.
