Ebonyi sets up panel on Lassa fever

Ebonyi State government has ordered the 13 Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen and 64 Local Development Centre coordinators in the state to set up committee for the control of Lassa fever virus.

Secretary to the state Government, Prof. Ben Odoh gave the directive last weekend in a meeting with the caretaker committee chairmen and development centre coordinators.

He said the committee will be charged with the responsibility of educating people on the causes, symptoms and prevention.

He disclosed that another committee has been inaugurated at the state level to ensure that sensitization is carried to public places to educate people more on the dangers of the disease.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike described Lassa fever as a dreaded disease which should be tackled to avoid further spread of the virus.

He called on the chairmen and other stakeholders to join the campaign for total control of the disease in the state.

Earlier in a meeting with traditional rulers in the state, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Solomon Okoronkwo said the state has recorded four deaths as a result of Lassa fever with 52 cases treated.