Thursday, February 27, 2025 -Cross River State Government has confirmed an outbreak of Lassa Fever in the Obubra local government area following the death of a 30-year-old male farmer from the Unincha community.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe
Ayuk, announced the outbreak in a statement dated February 24, 2025, revealing
that the victim succumbed to the disease on February 17 at the Federal
University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FUTHA), Ebonyi State.
The farmer had been ill for several days
before seeking medical attention at FUTHA on February 15. He tested positive
for Lassa Fever on February 16, but despite receiving treatment, he passed away
the following day.
His remains were prepared at FUTHA and
transported to Unincha for a supervised burial, conducted by the Obubra local
government area Rapid Response Team.
In response to the outbreak, the Cross
River State Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Center was activated on February 18
by Dr. Ayuk, with state and local government area rapid response teams deployed
to Unincha.
The intervention is being carried out in
collaboration with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) and
the World Health Organization (WHO).
The response teams are implementing key
containment measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, community
sensitization and awareness campaigns, town hall meetings with local leaders,
decontamination of affected homes, collection of samples for laboratory
testing, referral of symptomatic individuals to healthcare facilities, as well
as distribution of Lassa Fever and cholera medications, medical supplies, and
protective equipment in high-risk local government areas.
Ayuk assured residents that Governor Bassey
Edet Otu-led administration is fully prepared to contain the outbreak and
prevent further spread of infectious diseases.
He urged the public to remain vigilant,
especially with the early rains, as Lassa Fever, cholera, and mpox pose
significant health risks. He explained that Lassa Fever is caused by the Lassa
virus, which is transmitted through food or household items contaminated
by Mastomys rats—a species commonly found in tropical
environments.
Symptoms often start with general weakness,
fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle pain, progressing to nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, uncontrolled bleeding.
To prevent infection, the commissioner
advised residents to keep their surroundings clean and free of rodents, store
food in rat-proof containers, avoid direct contact with rats or their
droppings, seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear, and refrain
from self-medication and report suspected cases to health authorities.
“The Cross River State Ministry of Health remains on high alert and is working
closely with stakeholders to ensure the situation is contained swiftly,” the
commissioner said.
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