Calabar, Nigeria – The Cross River State authorities has confirmed an outbreak of Lassa Fever in Obubra Native Authorities Space (LGA) following the demise of a 30-year-old male farmer from the Unincha neighborhood.
The State Commissioner for Well being, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, introduced the outbreak in a public assertion dated February 24, 2025, revealing that the deceased succumbed to the illness on February 17 on the Federal College Educating Hospital, Abakaliki (FUTHA), Ebonyi State.
In keeping with the report, the sufferer had sought medical consideration at FUTHA on February 15 after experiencing signs for a number of days. He was identified with Lassa Fever on February 16 however, regardless of medical intervention, handed away the next day. His physique was ready at FUTHA and transported to Unincha neighborhood for a supervised burial performed by the Obubra LGA Speedy Response Crew.
In response to the outbreak, the Cross River State Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Centre was activated on February 18. Dr Ayuk disclosed that the state and LGA speedy response groups have been deployed to Unincha, working in shut collaboration with the State Main Healthcare Growth Company (SPHCDA) and the World Well being Organisation (WHO) to comprise the unfold.
Well being authorities have initiated a number of containment measures, together with contact tracing and case monitoring, neighborhood engagement and sensitisation campaigns, personal corridor conferences with neighborhood leaders, decontamination of affected properties, ample assortment for testing, referral of symptomatic individuals to designated well being services, in addition to distribution of Lassa Fever and cholera medicines, consumables, and different emergency medical provides in high-risk LGAs
Dr Ayuk reassured residents that the state authorities, below the management of Governor Bassey Otu, is taking all vital steps to regulate the outbreak and stop the additional unfold of infectious illnesses. He, nonetheless, urged the general public to stay vigilant towards Lassa Fever, cholera, Mpox, and different epidemic-prone diseases, notably because the early rains method.
He defined that Lassa Fever is attributable to the Lassa virus, which is transmitted by way of meals or home goods contaminated by Mastomys rats, generally present in tropical areas. Signs vary from normal weak spot, headache, sore throat, and muscle ache to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in extreme instances, uncontrollable bleeding.
The Commissioner suggested residents to keep up strict hygiene, hold their environment clear, retailer meals in rat-proof containers, and search fast medical consideration on the nearest well being facility in the event that they discover any signs. He strongly cautioned towards self-medication and urged people to report suspected instances promptly.
The Cross River State Ministry of Well being stays on excessive alert and continues to observe the scenario intently to stop additional unfold.
