By Ayomide Otitoju
The Anambra State Government has activated an emergency response following the confirmation of a Lassa fever case involving a patient linked to Omasi community in Ayamelum Local Government Area.
The patient is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, in Ebonyi State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, saying the government had strengthened disease surveillance and public awareness to prevent further transmission.
He said the Ministry of Health had activated the Incident Management System with support from health partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
According to Obidike, health officials would visit the affected household in Omasi, identify individuals who had contact with the patient and monitor them based on their level of exposure.
He urged residents experiencing persistent fever or malaria-like symptoms that do not improve with treatment to seek medical attention promptly rather than rely solely on self-medication.
The State Epidemiologist, Emembolu Chuma, advised residents to keep food covered, store it in rodent-proof containers and maintain clean surroundings to prevent contamination by rats.
The Ministry of Health also warned residents against contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed Lassa fever patients.
It urged residents of Omasi, other communities in Ayamelum and the wider state to remain vigilant, cooperate with health officials and avoid spreading unverified information.
The state government said the measures were aimed at identifying and monitoring people who might have been exposed to the virus and reducing the risk of further transmission.
