The Federal Government has said no fewer than 59 people who might have had contact with Lassa fever victims have been identified in Delta and Anambra states and that they are currently being monitored for symptoms of the disease.
This is as it debunked reports of alleged three cases of Lassa fever in Anambra State.
This was made known by the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a parastatal of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, while responding to an enquiry by The PUNCH on Tuesday evening in Abuja.
According to Ihekweazu, on August 17, 2016, a case of Lassa fever was confirmed in a 54-year-old man who presented himself the previous day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State for treatment.
He said the patient was referred to the tertiary health institution from a private hospital in Asaba, Delta State, where he was receiving treatment until his condition deteriorated.
Ihekweazu said, “On presentation at the Accident and Emergency of NAUTH, Lassa fever was suspected, blood samples were collected and sent to the reference laboratory at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, where the diagnosis of Lassa fever was confirmed. He died within an hour of admission.
“The state public health authorities in Anambra and Delta states have commenced a public health response including epidemiological investigations, contact tracing and the prepositioning of drugs and supplies. As of August 22, 2016 (Monday), 40 contacts have been identified in Delta State and 19 in Anambra State. All contacts are currently being monitored for symptoms of Lassa fever.
“The Delta and Anambra states ministries of health are coordinating the responses in their respective states, while the NCDC provides support and guidance to limit further spread.
“This case again illustrates the importance of following clinical protocols to confirm the cause of febrile illnesses, especially malaria, before treatment. Regarding the confirmed case of Lassa fever, we are working closely with the relevant state government teams to limit further spread.”
He, however, enjoined health workers and health facilities in the country to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and indeed other viral haemorrhagic fevers.
“The NCDC will continue to keep all our channels of communication open for information, verification and reporting on Lassa fever and other disease emergencies. The Centre’s 24/7 toll-free line can be reached via 0800-970000-10; and the twitter account handle @NCDCgov, and Facebook page @nigeriacdc are always available for inquiry and updates.”
Meanwhile, the Anambra State government has begun campaign against the eating of rat as a measure to combat Lassa fever disease.
The State Director of Public Health, Dr. Emmanuel Okafor, disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Tuesday.
He also said the state had enlightened its citizenry against drinking of garri.
He noted that most often rats would defecate on such food items.
Okafor added that people had been educated on the species of rats that could transmit Lassa fever, noting that such rats would have eight breasts.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Okwuchukwu Chukwuka, said the state had sent health facilitators to the 21 local government areas of the state to sensitise people living in the rural areas to Lassa fever.
Also, the Edo State Government on Tuesday said that it had reactivated its response and surveillance team on the prevention of Lassa fever, a few days after four persons reportedly died from the epidemic.
Also, the Ondo State Government said it had an institutional arrangement to prevent the outbreak of the deadly disease in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, said there was no cause for alarm over the issue of the disease, adding that the state had been putting all necessary facilities in place to ensure that its residents were safe from being inflicted or killed by the disease.
