By Blessing Ita
Rivers State Ministry of Health says it has recorded a fresh outbreak of Lassa Fever in the state with four confirmed cases and one death.
The report was made in a statement made by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh over the weekend.
She disclosed that the confirmation was made after the death of one of the patients.
In her words: “This is out of 42 suspected cases with 31 of them representing systematic high-risk contacts.
A total of 72 cases were said to be placed on surveillance and 30 of them have already exited the follow-up scheme, having completed the mandatory incubation period. “Some 42 will exit by 26th of February, 2024. All the 18 high-risk contacts were placed on preventive therapy and they are also doing well.
“While 27 samples have returned negative, we are still expecting results from the remaining samples of the suspected cases,” she added.
Highlighting some preventive measures, Dr Adaeze revealed that the State has sufficient commodities and medical materials to empower a combined team of stakeholders in the health sector who are working assiduously to combat the disease.
Moreover, the Commissioner emphasized the need to practise environmental sanitation and urged Rivers populace to maintain a healthy lifestyle that would boost their immunity and curb the further spread of the epidemic.
