Fourteen Die as Lassa Fever Surges in Ebonyi State

Joy ChukwuFebruary 21, 20241 Mins read235

The Ebonyi State Ministry of Health revealed on Wednesday that Lassa fever has claimed the lives of 14 persons in the state since January.

Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, the Director of Public Health in the ministry, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki. He stated that out of the twenty-nine confirmed cases reported as of February 20, fourteen had resulted in fatalities.

Dr. Ebenyi expressed concerns over the recent surge in suspected cases, noting that the state recorded approximately 110 cases. He emphasised that Lassa fever has been endemic in Ebonyi State, particularly during the dry season.

Recall that on February 19, West Africa Weekly reported twenty-five cases of infections and ten deaths in the state. The toll has gone up by four new cases of infection and four deaths since then.

While urging the public not to panic, Dr. Ebenyi assured that the state government is actively working to control the spread of the disease. He advised residents to avoid consuming rats and coming into contact with their bodily fluids, as Lassa fever is a deadly illness.

Highlighting the symptoms of Lassa fever, Dr. Ebenyi mentioned high fever, weakness, and headaches. He stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if experiencing any of these symptoms, as the disease can rapidly progress to severe bleeding and organ failure if left untreated.