Lassa Fever Kills One Nursing Student, 65 Under Surveillance In Anambra

One person, identified as a female student nurse, has been confirmed dead of Lassa fever in Anambra State while 65 others have been placed under surveillance.

Speaking to newsmen in Awka about the deceased and the situation, the Director of Public Health in the state’s ministry of health Dr. Emmanuel Okafor said:
“She was initially admitted at Amaku in Awka before she was transferred to Irua and was placed on admission there. She was bleeding from the gums, nostril and vagina and was confirmed Lassa Fever victim in Irua.
The moment it was confirmed that she had Lassa fever, we started contacts tracing. As of now, we have about 65 we are following up, two of them have developed fever and their samples have been taken to Irua.
We are still tracking others and we have advised them on what to do to ensure they do not transfer it to their loved ones.”
Okafor urged residents to keep their surroundings and food free from rats.
In August last year, a medical doctor and three others were reportedly killed by Lassa fever in the state.