The Rivers State Ministry of Health has declared that there is no confirmed case of Lassa fever in the state, but explained that about 57 persons have been placed under surveillance.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Chinwe Tonye-Atata disclosed this in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, while speaking on the preparedness to prevent the spread of Lassa fever in the state.
She further said the state government was working hard to ensure public health safety following the re-emergence of Lassa fever in the country.
Tonye-Atata said she received four reports of Lassa fever in the state, adding that two samples have been collected, but clarified that no case has been confirmed.
“In the last few days, we received four reports of suspected cases of Lassa fever in Rivers State. All these cases have received prompt and adequate attention. Two rumours have been investigated and discarded.
“Two samples have been sent to National Reference Laboratory for Virology. All two cases are still suspected, unconfirmed and results still being awaited.
“However, the state was notified of a resident of Rivers State who was diagnosed in Edo State as a case of Lassa fever on January 22, 2020. Incidentally, the patient passed on at Irrua Specialist Hospital on January 22, 2020. Investigation is still ongoing at Edo State together with the management of the hospital, family and National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) as we are working assiduously to ensure public health safety in the exposed clusters, especially among health care personnel and the first responders.
“Presently, 57 persons have so far been placed under surveillance,” the acting permanent secretary stated.
She, however, called on health centres in the state to maintain high level of caution by ensuring that their workers use hand gloves, face masks and infra-red scanners while performing their legitimate duties.