The re-appearance of Lassa fever in Nigeria has since become a source of concern and also causing tension mostly in rural communities. The epidemic after it re-surfaced has claimed both lives of medical practitioners and non-medical professionals as well.
Lassa fever when it re-appeared penultimate week in Ondo killing some medical doctors has spread to the eastern states of Anambra and Imo where three people has been confirmed dead in Orlu while some other infected people are said to be receiving medical attention.
The Imo state Governor Owele Rochas Okorocha told Newsmen on Wednesday in Owerri the state capital that the disease was discovered in Orlu Local Government area of the state, where three people has been reported dead and seven others hospitalized.
Governor Okorocha while briefing journalists said “This morning, we woke up to hear from relevant agencies that Lassa fever has killed three people while seven others are hospitalized. This number is too large for a state and we are very concerned over the speed of spread of the disease in Orlu and other parts of the state”.
Expressing his worry over the disease the Governor who cautioned citizens against unhygienic habits and body contact said “You are aware that the major cause of this disease is a particular kind of rat and we must take adequate measures to stop rats from having direct contact with consumable goods. The state Ministry of Health has been properly informed and directed to do everything possible to manage the situation”.
According to the Governor, the Imo state government may lay embargo on public functions and rallies in order to save lives of the Indi Imo if the disease escalates as identified hospitals had been isolated while the patients had been quarantined for a specific time in order to manage the situation.
