Lassa fever: Anambra records one case
Anambra State Government has announced the confirmation of a case of Lassa fever in the state.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, while addressing newsmen in Awka.
Dr. Okpala noted that the State’s Emergency Response Team was ready to intervene in any sudden outbreak in the state.
He stated that the Team responded to notification of a suspected case of the fever and followed the national guidelines in managing the case.
He said: “From isolation and sample collection for testing, the result of the laboratory test came out positive for Lassa fever. With this development, the state now has an index case.
“The case was safely transported to Viral Centre in Abakailiki and the Emergency Response Team has successfully decontaminated that isolation ward, which accommodated the index case.
“So in continuation of the state’s response to the index case, the state activated the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) on January 29’’.
The commissioner said that the state government had constituted four contact tracing teams in different locations for the listing and follow-up, management of contacts of the case and started contact listing.
He noted that the team conducted active case research at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka and Nnamdi University Medical Centre, Nnewi, reassuring Ndi Anambra of the state’s preparedness to contain the situation.
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“The State Ministry of Health and its partners in the Emergency Operations Centre have taken all the necessary precautions and steps for managing the situation,’’ he said.
Dr. Okpala explained that the centre was operating under the direction of the National Coordination Centre and everything was under control.
He emphasised the need for Ndi Anambra to be aware of the basic measures to take to protect themselves in their homes, schools, markets and Churches.
Lassa fever is spread through direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
It can be spread through contact with objects, household items and surfaces or eating food contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
The commissioner, then, urged healthcare workers, both private and public to take special precautions as demanded by the situation for their safety and safety of their patients and loved ones.
“Please if your healthcare worker suspect Lassa fever, advise him or her to contact your Local Government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) to access care.’’
Dr. Okpala emphasised their preparedness to respond to any outbreak of the fever in the state, as well as investigating rumours of outbreaks.
