One dies as suspected Lassa Fever breaks out in Abia

Seven suspected victims of the dreaded Lassa fever have been identified in Abia state while two illegal routine immunization persons have been arrested and are undergoing police investigation.

State Health Commissioner, John Ahukannah said of the seven suspects, one has died, four tested negative while the other two responded to treatment and have been discharged. He also said the sample of the dead suspect was yet to be returned from Irrua where it was sent for analysis to determine the cause of his death. He stressed that the state has been alive to its responsibility and urged the public to step up their personal hygiene and avoid rats infected places and report any incidence to their nearest health authorities.

The commissioner, who said there is available cure for Lassa fever if detected early, and drugs are also available, as the federal government has supplied the state with drugs.

On the arrested persons carrying out illegal immunization against “Hepatitis B” in schools in Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Ahukannah said that they have alerted the public that they did not declare or schedule such, saying that samples of what they were caught with while immunizing people at N1000 each were being analyzed indicating that thereafter, the Police will prosecute them accordingly.