The Rivers State Ministry of Health has confirmed a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever with four cases recorded and one person reportedly dead. This was revealed in a statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, during a press conference today.
The statement read, “This is out of 42 suspected cases with 31 of them representing symptomatic high-risk contacts to the confirmed cases. A total of 72 contacts were placed on surveillance and 30 of them have already exited the follow-up scheme having completed the mandatory incubation period.
“Another 42 will exit by the 26th of February. All 18 high-risk contacts were placed on preventive therapeutics and are also doing very well. While 27 samples have returned negative we are still expecting results from the remaining eleven samples of suspected cases.”
Oreh noted that the state government is working tirelessly with other stakeholders including the World Health Organization to ensure protection of lives.
She said, “The team of the State Ministry of Health, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Niger Centre for Disease Control and the Stakeholders of the multi-disciplinary multi-sectoral state public health emergency operation centre including the World Health Organization are working assiduously to and synergistically to ensure the protection of lives in the course of this outbreak.
“I assure you of our concerted and dedicated commitment to contain this outbreak sooner than later. I wish to inform you that the government has risen sternly to this challenge,” the commissioner added.
The Commissioner said the government is capable of containing the outbreak of the disease, and urged members of the public to always promote hygiene in their respective communities.
She further stated, “All health service centres are kindly advised to maintain simple trial systems for all patients and sustain the standard infection prevention principles required for service delivery.”
“Keep food and water covered to prevent contamination by rodents. Store grains and other foodstuff in rodent-proof containers. Dispose of garbage neatly and maintain clean households and environment among others”, she concluded.
