The Anambra State Government on Tuesday said it had quarantined 50 persons who had contact with a Lassa fever patient in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba, disclosed this in a statement in Awka, Anambra State.
He said the state government had put measures in place to ensure that the spread of the disease is contained.
The statement read in part, “Immediately a 25-year old student in Anambra State was diagnosed a few days ago with Lassa fever, the state government took the patient to the regional Virology Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, for proper treatment.
“The health authorities quickly got in touch with some 50 persons she had come into contact with in the preceding three weeks in both her hometown and her university. All the contacts are being examined and watched closely by experts. This is in conformity with globally established protocol in treating Lassa fever.
“The Anambra State Government has a responsibility to ensure that there is no other case of Lassa fever in the state, and where it occurs, this highly contagious disease is contained at once.
“In view of the above, the state government has set up two special centres at the Onitsha General Hospital and at the General Hospital at Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area to manage any cases of Lassa fever that may be reported in the state.
“Given the high mortality rate of Lassa fever which has in recent days been reported in various states of the Federation including neighbouring ones, all Ndi Anambra and all those resident in the state are advised to take necessary precautionary measures.”
