Ebonyi confirms second Lassa fever death

The second death arising from symptoms traceable to lassa fever infection has been announced by Ebonyi State government.

This revelation was made by the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Daniel Umezurike who told newsmen in Abakaliki on Monday that the disease has claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy.

He said that the deceased died at the weekend after being discharged from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

“The incident is unfortunate. The deceased was a pupil of one of the primary schools in Igbeagu, Izzi Local Government Area.

“The bereaved parents are based in Abuja but the report we have did not indicate that he travelled to meet his parents recently,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the deceased was not taken to the hospital immediately he fell sick, which made his condition critical.

“He, however, responded to treatment in the hospital which made the authorities to discharge him, but he unfortunately died the day he was discharged.

“The hospital certified him fit after treatment but before he was discharged, we had already taken his test sample to the relevant quarters where the result read positive,” he said.

He noted that the ministry had embarked on surveillance and contact-tracing of close associates to curtail its spread.

“We have also intensified our enlightenment campaign among the citizens on ways to prevent the disease and immediate report of suspected cases to relevant authorities,” he said.

The first casualty of the disease in the state was a student of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, who died in January.

-Emmanuel Ikechukwu