The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever in the state following the death of a 26-year-old man who was confirmed to have been killed by the disease.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television in Abakaliki, the state capital, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike, said that the patient who died on Monday, was said to have complained of fever at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, and this later resulted to heavy bleeding from the eyes, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Dr. Umezuruike said that the victim was immediately isolated and went through series of test and he later tested positive to Lassa fever.
He added that after death, the body of the victim was immediately buried, to prevent spread of the disease.
The Commissioner noted that prior to this discovery, six people who were earlier isolated later tested negative to Lassa fever.
He affirmed that so far, only the dead patient has been confirmed positive of the deadly disease and the state government has already commenced efforts to trace all other contacts.
Dr. Umezurieke urged the people of the state to remain calm as the state government has began a public health orientation campaign across the state to sensitize its citizenry on the disease and its prevention.
