Lassa Fever Kills One in Anambra, 65 Under Surveillance

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
At least one person has been confirmed dead of Lassa fever in Anambra State, the state government has said.
Dr. Emmanuel Okafor, Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health who disclosed this to journalists in Awka yesterday, said 65 persons have been placed under surveillance.

Okafor said the deceased lady (name withheld) was a nursing student in one private school in Idemili North in the state when she was admitted to the Ojukwu University Hospital Awka on June 11.

“She died at Irrua, Edo State, last Saturday, but she was admitted at Amaku, Awka, before being transferred and admitted there.
“She was schooling in one private nursing school at Nkpor, she was bleeding from the gums and at the teaching hospital, she was bleeding from the nose and virgina; she was confirmed a Lassa fever victim in Irrua.

“The moment it was confirmed she had Lassa fever, we started contact tracing, and as of now, we have about 65 who we are following up, two of them have developed fever and their samples have been taken to Irrua.

“We are still tracking other ones and have advised them on what to do to ensure they do not transfer it to their loved ones,” he said.
Okafor urged residents to keep their surroundings and food free from rats.