Anambra State has confirmed a case of Lassa fever involving a patient linked to Omasi community in Ayamelum Local Government Area, prompting the activation of emergency measures to prevent further spread.
The patient is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the state government said.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Monday during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, the state capital.
Obidike said the state had intensified disease surveillance and public awareness efforts following the confirmation.
He added that the government had activated the Incident Management System at a meeting attended by health partners, including the World Health Organisation and Médecins Sans Frontières.
According to the commissioner, health officials will visit the affected household in Omasi, identify people who had contact with the patient and assess their level of exposure for appropriate monitoring.
He urged residents experiencing persistent fever or malaria-like symptoms that fail to improve with appropriate treatment to seek medical attention promptly.
Obidike also warned against self-medication, stressing that early diagnosis and proper medical care were important in managing Lassa fever.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Chuma Emembolu, urged residents to take precautions to prevent contact with rodents and avoid contamination of food and household items.
He advised residents to keep food covered and store it in rodent-proof containers. He also called for clean surroundings to discourage rodents from entering homes.
Emembolu warned residents against direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed Lassa fever patients.
He further urged the public to follow infection prevention guidelines and the advice of health professionals.
The epidemiologist appealed to residents of Omasi, other communities in Ayamelum and the wider state to remain vigilant, cooperate with public health officials and avoid spreading unverified information.
He said the measures were aimed at strengthening preparedness, monitoring people who might have been exposed and reducing the risk of further transmission.
