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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Ebonyi Assembly lifts suspension of Female Lawmaker

    Ebonyi Assembly lifts suspension of Female Lawmaker

    The Ebonyi state House of Assembly has lifted the suspension slammed on the member representing Afikpo North East Constituency, Mrs Maria Nwachi over alleged acts inconsistent with her office as a lawmaker.

    The House came up with the resolution after considering a motion filled before the House by the Deputy Leader, Kingsley Ikoro.

    Mrs Nwachi was suspended in January this year for fourteen Legislative days after consideration of the allegations of photographing in public functions by the House Leader, Mr. Joseph Nwobasi.

    The speaker thereafter constituted a committee headed by the Chief Whip of the House, Chike Ogiji to consider the allegations and report back to the House.

    On 6th of February,this year, the Chike Ogiji led Adhoc committee presented its report and recommended Six months suspension against the lawmaker to inculcate in her the decorum expected of a lawmaker which was unanimously upheld.

    But barely nine Days after the suspension, the Deputy Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro approached the House with a motion to recall the embattled member citing remorsefulnesson the part of the lawmaker.

    He pleaded with the speaker and his colleagues to temper justice with mercy as Mrs Nwachi has approached her colleagues individually and collectively asking for forgiveness.

    The motion was seconded by Mrs Augusta Ude of Ohaozara East constituency.

    Mrs Ude said her telephone conversation with Nwachi confirmed the readiness of the Lawmaker to turn a new leaf.

    Mr. Victor Chukwu of Ezza North west constituency while lending support to the motion advocated for Counselling of the lawmaker to instill good behavior into the lawmaker.

    The speaker noted that the lawmaker has exhibited a certain degree of remorsefulness and subjected the motion into a voice vote and it was unanimously upheld. Ends

  • APC Chieftain, others attacked by thugs in Ebonyi

    APC Chieftain, others attacked by thugs in Ebonyi

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, Dr. Paul Okorie, was on Monday attacked by suspected political thugs at Ugwulangwu area of Ohaozara Local Government Area of  Ebonyi.

    The thugs also attacked Mr. Nnachi Okoro, Ohaozara APC Chairman, one John Ogbonnaya, and  two members of the party.

    The trio according to reports were allegedly brutalized by gun wielding thugs from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state, numbering over 50 who were led by three Ebonyi government officials from the local government area.

    Okorie told our Reporter in Abakaliki on Tuesday that the attackers invaded the venue where stakeholders were holding a meeting preparatory for the visit of the APC State Working Committee (SWC), slated for Friday, Feb 9.

    Okorie, a former Commissioner for Works and Environment in Ebonyi and other victims are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA).

    He described the unprovoked attack as callous, wicked and barbaric.

    Narrating the incident to journalists, he said: “We scheduled a meeting of a section of Ohaozara Local Government Area of APC for the three wards in Ugwulangwu, preparatory for the visit of the SWC of our party for the Continuous Voter Registration sensitization.

    “The meeting commenced peacefully at about 5p.m. yesterday (Monday, Feb 5), the meeting was going on smoothly when midway, some hoodlums, came in and disrupted the meeting. “So, at a point they went back; we thought they had gone and continued with our meeting when suddenly they came in with over 30 boys in three branded buses, all heavily armed with different types of dangerous weapons.

    “They shot sporadically and we were thoroughly clubbed and beating as you can see the cuts and bruises all over our body. “They escaped in their vehicles, and also took our mobile phones, money and other valuables.”

    The APC chieftain urged the electorate to be on guard and assured that no threat or intimidation would make the party to back down on its resolve to wrestle power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He urged the Police, Army and other security agencies to provide adequate security for every citizen of the state.

    He called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    Police spokesman, Mrs. Lovett Odah, when contacted, said no formal report on the alleged incident had been received by the Command Headquarters.

    She said the Police would react appropriately only when the matter has been officially reported and preliminary investigations made.

    She, however, said she would liaise with appropriate authorities to ensure the Divisional Police Officer for Ohaozara Local Government Area, visits the scene of the crime.

    “The Police are yet to receive any report on the alleged attack either at the Command or in the Division. “However, we shall detail the DPO in Ohaozara after due consultations to visit the scene of the crime to commence investigation,” Odah said.

    She restated resolve of the Police to effectively provide protection and adequate security to every citizen of the state. She urged the public to always report promptly to the police any breach of law and order in their areas or threats to their lives.

    Meanwhile, the state Chairman of APC, Mr. Eze Nwachukwu, has condemned the attack and vowed that the party would explore every legal avenue to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    He further reassured the party’s commitment to peaceful and violence free elections in 2019, and urged politicians not to make the election a do-or-die affair.

    He said the party has lodged a formal report at the Police Command in Abakaliki.

    “We got the news of the barbaric and brutal attack on our party members while in a peaceful meeting at Ugwulangwu yesterday, and we have taken the necessary action including lodging a formal report at state Police Command.

    “The attack is condemnable and we promise the perpetrators that APC will explore every available legal means to bring them to justice. “We are law abiding and wish to reassure the electorate and Ebonyi residents that APC is committed to peaceful and violence free elections in Ebonyi in 2019.

    Chairman of the PDP in the state, Onyekachi Nwebonyi denied the involvement of his party members in the attack.

    “I am just hearing about it now from you, nobody from my party attacked them, they should go and find the people who attacked them”, he said.

  • 40-year-old commits suicide in Ebonyi

    40-year-old commits suicide in Ebonyi

    A 40-year-old woman, Nkemjika Oyibe, has committed suicide in Ishinkwo Abaomege community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Her body was hanging on a tree in Onyemem forest.

    Police spokesman Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident, said a hunter discovered the body and reported to community leaders, who went to the forest with the deceased’s elder brother, Peter Onyibe, for confirmation.

    She said: “But I wonder why a person would commit suicide and the family did not suspect any foul play. Unless the family knew their sister was having problems, and were suspecting she would commit suicide.

    “They should have also been eager to know what led to her committing suicide. There is a saying that life begins at 40, so someone taking her life at 40 sounds strange.”

    Odah added that the body has been released to the family for burial since no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

    President of the town union, who pleaded for The Town Union President, who, said the family was not suspecting anyone. The deceased had made similar attempts in the past by taking drugs, he added.

    According to him, she had a mental problem and had disappeared from public domain since December 25 and after search efforts failed, the family gave up the search, only to hear of her suicide.

  • APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ebonyi State has set up a six-man committee on voter education to mobilize eligible voters to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    The six-man committee comprised Mr Okenwa Uka as Chairman and Gibson Nnachi as secretary.

    The State Chairman of the party, Mr Eze Nwachukwu inaugurated the committee on Monday in Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi at a sensitisation to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.

    Nwachukwu charged the committee to liaise with community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups to mobilize eligible electorate at wards, villages and communities.

    Read also: Ondo APC urges Buhari to dissolve NDDC board

    The chairman urged the committee to report difficulties that might be encountered to the state secretariat for prompt action.

    “Report issues of breakdown of INEC registration machines or any other difficulties you may encounter promptly to our office.

    “We count on you for the success of the exercise in Afikpo South and you must live up to the confidence reposed on you,” he said.

    Nwachukwu also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth organizations and political stakeholders in the state to effectively mobilise eligible voters to participate in the CVR.

    He advised the people against selling their PVCs or exchanging it for whatever reason, as the voter card remained the only power and right available to them to choose leaders of their choice.

    “Do not sell or exchange your voter card. The card is the only legal right and power you have to participate in the election.

    “Report any person or persons engaging in buying, selling or hoarding of the PVCs to the police or any law enforcement agency.

    He assured that the APC was committed to conducting free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.

    “The era of election malpractices, forceful snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes during elections in Ebonyi are over.

    “We are here in Edda today to appeal to every eligible voter, especially those who are yet to register and obtain their voter card, to go and register and collect their Permanent Voter Card ( PVC ).

    “Any eligible voter without his or her PVC is in error and not a good indigene of Edda. It is your civic right to vote and you cannot vote without being first registered and obtain the PVC which is your authority to vote.

    “The system being put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to conduct, regulate and monitor the 2019 general elections will make rigging impossibile.

    “As party in control of the Federal Government, we want to reassure the electorate that votes will count and that only leaders freely elected by the people in a free, fair and credible process will emerge.

    “The FG and INEC have demonstrated this commitment in the governorship and senatorial elections held recently in Anambara and same will be replicated in Ebonyi in 2019,” Nwachukwu said.

    The chairman on behalf of other committee members assured the party of commitment to the task, pledging not to leave any stone unturned in effective mobilisation.

    NAN

  • Senate alarmed over spread of Lassa fever to 14 states

    Senate alarmed over spread of Lassa fever to 14 states

    The Senate Thursday expressed concern over the spread of Lassa fever to fourteen states of the federation.

    It listed the affected states to include Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Imo, Kogi, Bauchi, Anambra, Benue, Federal capital Territory, Abia, Ekiti and Delta.

    It also said that the outbreak of the disease which was first recorded on the 5th of January, 2018, has risen to 363 as against the lesser number of cases recorded in previous years.

    It said that out of the 363 cases, 81 persons have tested positive, while 44 persons have been admitted at the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Teaching Hospital, Edo State.

    About 11 deaths have been recorded, of which 3 are health workers, it said.

    Senator representing Edo Central, Clifford Ordia, drew attention of his colleague to ravaging spread of disease in a motion entitled “Urgent need to support the Centre for Research, Control and Treatment of Lassa Fever disease in Nigeria.”

    The upper chamber mandated its joint committee on Health and Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, to investigate steps taken by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the disease.

    It asked the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health to urgently provide the Center all necessary equipment to enable it meet its responsibilities to Nigerians seeking medical care at the center.

    It also resolved to urge the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to engage in sensitisation and education of the public on the prevention, control and treatment of Lassa fever.

    The upper chamber urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly visit the center in Irrua Specialist Hospital for on the spot assessment, with a view to providing relief material to the victims.

    Ordia who quoting the World Health Organization said that fever is an acute viral heamorrhagic illness of two to 21 days duration that occurs in West Africa and is transmitted to human through contact with or exposure to food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

     He said person to person infection and laboratory transmission can also occur particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevention and control equipment.

    Ordia said: “The institute is the only centre in Nigeria known for excellence in the management, control and treatment of Lassa fever in Nigeria. The centre received samples from all states referred above for the purpose of examination and treatment.

    “The centre also engages in the training of Health care workers, i.e. Doctors, Nurses and Laboratory Technologists on the management of Lassa fever in Nigeria. Last year alone, the centre trained 67 health workers from 15 states with reported cases of the outbreak.

    “The centre is presently overwhelmed by the number of samples received, including patients on admission which has stretched the bed space, beddings, Dialysis Machine,  X-Ray equipment, Ultra Sound Scan, ECG Machine, Ventilators monitors, human and financial resources beyond limit.”

    “The centre is confronted with the challenges of Inadequate protective instruments for the health workers engaged in the management of  victims; inadequate drugs, i.e Ribarvirin for patient treatment; inadequate disinfectants and other infection prevention and control consumables; and lack of operational vehicles, public address system and health education materials for contact tracing and community sensitization.”

    The Edo Central lawmaker said that the Senate should resolve to make more funds available for the centre in the 2018 budget.

    It also urged the Federal Government to set up centres in different parts of the country.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, said health care should be one of the major responsibilities of government.

    Ekweremadu noted that “If this matter is not addressed, we will be fail in our responsibilities. And to know that this issue has been going on for years is worrisome.

    “We need to give this issue the attention it needs. We have enough medical doctors. We need to provide the needed equipment they need to work with. I believe that the committee will help us address the issue. We cannot allow this to continue to spread.”

  • Nkah urges Waba to recognise him as NLC chairman in Ebonyi

    Nkah urges Waba to recognise him as NLC chairman in Ebonyi

    Mr Leonard Nkah, Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ), Ebonyi chapter, has asked the National President of the union, Ayuba Waba, to recognise him as the authentic chairman in the state.

    Nkah, in a letter to the NLC President, written by his lawyer, Mr Roy Nwaeze, said that the former Chairman, Ikechukwu Nwafor, was constitutionally removed from office.

    Nkah in the letter made available in Abuja, said that Nwafor was removed from office on March 15, 2017, for failure to give account of his stewardship.

    “The Ebonyi NLC executive met, with a quorum of more the 60 per cent, deliberated on the misconduct of Nwafor and his failure and neglect to render account of his stewardship and resolved to suspend him indefinitely.

    Read also: NLC tells workers to vote out defaulting governors

    “ Nwafor was ordered to surrender all the property of the Ebonyi NLC to Nkah.

    “ Notwithstanding the suspension, and even though Nkah had effectively taken over, Nwafor has refused till date, to surrender all the property of Ebonyi NLC to Nkah or render account of his stewardship.’’

    Nwaeze said that rather than hand over as ordered by the NLC executive; Nwafor went to court to challenge his removal.

    He said that one of the prayers sought in the Suit No. NICN/ABK/01/2017, in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Enugu, was to restrain Nkah, from parading himself as acting chairman, a prayer the court did not grant in its ruling on Nov. 15.

    “ The consequent legal effect of the refusal is that Nkah remains the acting chairman, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    “ All parties are under compulsive obligation to obey and not derogate from same,’’ Nwaeze noted.

    He urged the NLC president to accord recognition to Nkah, since the facts are clear.

    “ We respectfully demand that you recognise Nkah as acting chairman and cease from further recognizing Nwafor as NLC chairman in Ebonyi, pending determination of Suit No. NICN/ABK/01/2017.’’

    Nwaeze said that he took time to explain issues to avoid being compelled to “ initiate contempt proceeding against any person acting contrary to the court order.

    NAN

  • ‘We responded promptly to Ebonyi Lassa fever outbreak’

    The Minister of Health of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said the Federal Government, through its various health agencies, responded promptly to the outbreak of Lassa fever in Ebonyi State.

    The minister, in a statement by his media aide, Kazeem Akintunde, said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was in Ebonyi State 48 hours after the news broke.

    Adewole said he personally called the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, for detailed briefing after reading about the outbreak.

    The statement reads: “We are here to assist states having challenges; it is the duty of the affected states to alert us promptly if there are challenges in their state.

    “In the case of Ebonyi State, I called the CMD, not the other way round. Again, the NCDC emergency team moved to Abakaliki 48 hours after we heard of the outbreak.

    “What happens is that many of our doctors will start treating for malaria fever, which is okay, but after three days and there are no positive changes, they should think Lassa Fever. But they would wait endlessly before taking any prompt action.

    “I will always plead with state government officials to think Lassa fever first so that prompt treatment could be carried out as early as possible. They should also embark on enlightenment campaigns to educate their people on the danger of Lassa fever and how to guard against it.

    “I personally visited the state to see things for myself, and to see what further measures we need to put in place to tackle the menace.

    “Once again, let me reiterate that the Federal Government is ready to support any state that calls for our help. We need information on time to act promptly.

    “We commiserate with those who lost loved ones to the avoidable outbreak.”

    The minister enjoined health workers to always obey universal precaution when handling patients and equipment.

  • Lassa fever: Ebonyi unhappy with FG for poor response

    Lassa fever: Ebonyi unhappy with FG for poor response

    The Ebonyi Government, on Saturday, blamed the Federal Government for its poor response to the Lassa fever outbreak, which was reported in the state since Jan. 14.

    Gov. David Umahi, made this disclosure in Abakaliki while receiving Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health during his visit to the state to ascertain the situation report of the outbreak.

    Umahi, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said that the minister came to the state after the disease had claimed several lives, especially medical personnel.

    “We are not happy over the development and have declared the outbreak of the disease in the state, even if other affected states have not done that.

    “We know that accessing money from the Federal Government is not easy but we want the health minister to redouble his efforts to ensure that funds and other logistics are released promptly to check such outbreaks.

    He called for the equipping of the south east virology centre, constructed by the State government and handed over to the Federal Government in 2016.

    “We thought that the  government should have made the centre operational to make it respond to such outbreaks, as it serves states in South East and neighbouring ones as Benue, Cross River and Akwa Ibom,” he said.

    He called on the Federal Government to release a stabilisation fund to enhance the centre’s operations, adding that the state government had bought a dialysis and a PCR machine for greater efficiency of the centre.

    “We recorded 16 cases, nine confirmed cases, six suspected cases, one probable index case; eight persons admitted at the virology centre, one admitted in Irrua, Edo.

    “There were four deaths, including two doctors and a nurse and three patients discharged from admissions,” he said.

    Adewole, after inspecting the virology, said that the ministry was not informed about the outbreak of the disease on time.

    “We reacted accordingly immediately we learnt of the outbreak, as the government’s duty is to support states and we expect them to be in a position to respond accordingly.

    “We only come to their rescue when the situation is beyond them because there is a Commissioner of Health on ground; this makes us  offer only additional support.

    “We are not supposed to take care of the states’ health care, as I have seen patients and staff at the virology centre, we have noted the gaps and would fill in the gaps accordingly,” he said.

    Adewole promised that the Federal Government would provide more facilities to the centre in the coming weeks to ensure that it caters for other diseases beyond Lassa fever.

    “We are not happy whenever we lose health personnel to diseases such as Lassa fever, as we expect them to protect themselves and be preventive-minded by viewing related-symptoms cases firstly, as Lassa fever”. (NAN)

  • Lassa fever kills 16 in Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, others’

    Lassa fever kills 16 in Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, others’

    •Bayelsa moves against disease

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control yesterday said Lassa fever has killed 16 people in Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue.

    It also said 61 cases have been confirmed.

    According to the agency, 10 health care workers have been infected in four states. Seven died in Ebonyi. One in Nasarawa. One in Kogi and one in Benue.

    A statement by the agency reads: “Following the increasing number of Lassa fever cases reported from several States across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response to the outbreak on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health.

    “The EOC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to the most affected States- Ebonyi, Ondo and Edo States. The RRTs are supporting the States in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication and strengthening infection prevention and control practices. Emergency supplies have also been sent to treatment centres in all affected States.

    “Since the beginning of 2018, a total number of 107 suspected Lassa fever cases have been recorded in ten states: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos States. As at 21st January 2018, the total number of confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten health care workers have been infected in four States (Ebonyi – 7, Nasarawa – 1, Kogi – 1 and Benue – 1) with three deaths in Ebonyi State.

    “NCDC is collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, African Field Epidemiology Network, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and other agencies, in supporting the response in the affected states.”

    The agency went on: “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to- person transmission can also occur, particularly in hospital environment in the absence of adequate infection control measures. Health care workers in health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, especially where infection prevention and control procedures are not strictly adhered to.

    “Lassa fever can be prevented through practicing good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to discourage rodents from entering homes. Hand washing should be practiced frequently.

    “Health care workers are again reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing a febrile illness such as malaria; and are advised to practice standard precautions at all times, maintaining a high index of suspicion. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria. When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness including Lassa fever should be considered. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment increase the chances of survival.

    “Family members who are providing care for patients with Lassa fever are advised to take extra caution. In addition, States are encouraged to ensure safe and dignified burial practices for patients who die from Lassa fever.”

    The Bayelsa State government yesterday said it had taken measures to protect residents from the spread of Lassa Fever.

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu said though no case of the fever had been reported in any part of the state, the government rolled out programmes to stop outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

    Speaking while presenting his ministry’s scorecard at the ongoing Inter-Ministerial/Agency Briefing at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, he said the people were being sensitised on the need to maintain hygienic environment.

    He said: “There is no reported case of Lassa Fever in any part of the state but our people need to be conscious of their environment and if there is any incident of the disease, please report it to the nearest hospital for prompt attention.

    “We need to be proactive in the way and manner we handle health related and other issues, that is why the present administration is committing so much to the sector.”

    Three dead in Imo

    No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead following the outbreak of lassa fever in Imo State.

    Commissioner of Health Dr Angela Uwakwem confirmed the deaths in a chat with The Nation.

    According to her, “lassa fever is in Owerri. It has been confirmed”.

    The commissioner disclosed that the three persons who contacted the deadly virus, died after they were referred out of the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owerri.

    Uwakwem said: “We have seven suspected cases of lassa fever in the state. Three are confirmed dead. The Imo state government is working hard to establish the point of first contact .the media should equally help us to enlighten our people.”

    The Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Dr Kingsley Achigbu, disclosed that the lassa fever victims who were referred to the hospital were later referred out.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha said the state government has taken necessary steps to bring the situation under control.

    Okorocha said: “This morning we woke up to hear that Lassa fever has killed three persons and we also have seven cases of Lassa fever patients and this number is too large for a State. And we are concerned about the speed of spread. These cases were recorded in some hospitals, somewhere in Orlu and some other parts of the State. For this reason, we kindly advise that people should avoid over crowded areas, lessen the shaking of hands, and body contacts at this period.

    “You are aware that Lassa fever is caused by some species of rats. The state is on it. The Ministry of Health has been adequately informed to take all necessary steps to curtail the spread. But as this number has risen this morning, we advise that people should avoid as much as possible some foods and body contacts especially in schools and market areas.

    “We will do everything humanly possible to make sure that this spread is curtailed. While government is taking this action, people should keep a clean and healthy environment at this time. Avoid so many children staying in one place while government should handle the burial of those that died of Lassa fever. As you know, Lassa fever is deadly but if any discovery is made, live can be saved.”

  • Lassa Fever: 107 suspected cases in 10 states

    Lassa Fever: 107 suspected cases in 10 states

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed that Since the beginning of this year, a total number of 107 suspected Lassa fever cases have been recorded in ten States: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos States. As at 21st January 2018, the total number of confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten health care workers have been infected in four States (Ebonyi – seven, Nasarawa – one, Kogi – one and Benue – one) with three deaths in Ebonyi State.

    It stated that Following the increasing number of Lassa fever cases reported from several States across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response to the outbreak on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The EOC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to the most affected States- Ebonyi, Ondo and Edo States. The RRTs are supporting the States in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication and strengthening infection prevention and control practices. Emergency supplies have also been sent to treatment centres in all affected States.

    NCDC stated that it is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, African Field Epidemiology Network, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and other agencies, in supporting the response in the affected States.

    Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in hospital environment in the absence of adequate infection control measures. Health care workers in health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, especially where infection prevention and control procedures are not strictly adhered to.

    Lassa fever can be prevented through practicing good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to discourage rodents from entering homes. Hand washing should be practiced frequently.

    The organisation reminded Health care workers that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing a febrile illness such as malaria; and are advised to practice standard precautions at all times, maintaining a high index of suspicion. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria. When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness including Lassa fever should be considered. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment increase the chances of survival.

    Family members who are providing care for patients with Lassa fever should take extra caution. In addition, States are encouraged to ensure safe and dignified burial practices for patients who die from Lassa fever.