FG deploys rapid response team to Ebonyi State over Lassa fever

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has dispatched a rapid response team to Ebonyi State, where an outbreak of Lassa fever claimed three health workers.

Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, immediately requested that it provides support to the Government of Ebonyi State, to investigate and respond to this cluster of cases.

The NCDC, yesterday, in a statement said: “Following the report, the Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) immediately commenced the public health response, supporting the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health.

A Rapid Response Team has been immediately deployed from NCDC to support the state in response coordination, contact tracing, case management and strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures. The NCDC has also provided urgently required medical supplies and drugs to support case management in the state.”

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease, caused by contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. He said Lassa virus might also be spread between humans through direct contact with blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday berated the Federal Government for not equipping the virology centre built by the state government.

The state NMA Chairman, Dr. Ikwudinma Austin in a statement said the “Federal Government should live up to their promises through the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole on September 5, 2016 to make the virology centre in Abakaliki a National Referral Centre by making it functional.’’