Lassa Fever Otbreak: Death Toll Rises To Four In Ebonyi, 139 Under Surveillance

The death toll of victims of the Lassa fever outbreak in Ebonyi State has risen to four while 139 persons have been under surveillance.

Naija News reported that three health workers died from the outbreak in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike, disclosed that nine cases have been confirmed in the state, adding that schools have been under lock to forestall the spread of the disease.

“At present, the state has a total of nine confirmed cases, four deaths and three others on treatment including 139 persons now under surveillance.

“Also, a mother has been confirmed positive and is presently taking treatment and this incident happened yesterday (Wednesday).”‎

“We have three patients on treatments and all of them are doing well and we have contact tracing and we have 139 people we have kept on surveillance.

However, he added that the state government was working to ensure that the disease is controlled in no time.

“We have set up all the committees and strategies to ensure that this disease is brought under control within the shortest possible time and the strategies are working out well. We don’t have new cases of the disease as at yesterday, so the situation has been brought under control.

“Schools closure came up when we had three positive cases and ministry of education noticed that one of them has children in schools and closed down schools in Ebonyi State. We have put all the strategies and everything is working out, we believe that the situation will be brought under control.”

Meanwhile, the outbreak has also compelled the wife of the governor, Rachel Umahi, to cancel her visit to Afikpo Local Government Area which was scheduled to hold on Friday.