Enugu state government, Sunday, urged residents of the state to
remain calm even as it dispelled rumour that one of the nurses that
treated a patient of Lassa fever is dead.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeanyi
Agujiobi, in a statement said that the information of
the death of one of the nurses that treated the Lassa fever deceased
elderly woman “is false, unfounded and misleading.’’
“The public is advised to go about their normal duties and ensured that
universal health precautions are observed,’’ he said.
Ugujiobi said that the ministry had
constituted a “Multi-Sectoral Rapid Response Team” charged with the
responsibility of containing and mitigating against the deadly Lassa
fever menace.
“The death toll in Enugu has remained just one and by God’s grace, all
the people that had direct and indirect contact with the index case
has been line listed and are being monitored, totaling about 178.
“With 23 of them that had direct contact with the dead patient,
their samples have been collected for hematological investigations.
“All hospitals in the state had been told to be on the watch and to
make use of all protective and preventive measures.
“Bush burning should be discouraged for now. We may get cat pets to
wade-off rodents. Avoid garbage and refuse close to the house to
dispel rats and other rodents and ensure that all food stuffs are
properly covered.
“Canned drinks, bottled/soda water should be properly washed before
drinking; while all schools are encouraged to observe basic hand
washing hygiene and use sanitisers,’’ he said.
Agujiobi said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had
equally supported the state with some commodities; while Governor Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi had been doing everything possible to ensure that “this
dreaded disease is well controlled.’’
He said: “The populace is therefore enjoyed not to panick as the state
government is poised in leaving no stone unturned to having a
disease-free and healthy Enugu State.
“The public is equally informed to disregard any information not
arising from Enugu state Ministry of Health; Enugu State Ministry of
Information and the Federal Ministry of Health on any health issue’’.
The ministry three days ago confirmed a case of Lassa
fever, which reportedly killed a 75-year-old woman at the Enugu state
University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.
The deceased’s sample was taken to Virology Centre at Abakaliki,
Ebonyi state and it was confirmed to be Lassa fever positive.
