LASSA FEVER OUTBREAK IN CROSS RIVER

Information has it that a member of the National Youth Service Corps member in Cross River, Mr. Onwuegbuzie Stanley-Samuel, has died of Lassa fever disease at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

The deceased with NYSC No CR/16B/2098, was serving in Community Secondary School, Ofodua, Obubra LGA.

Briefing newsmen about the incident yesterday in Calabar, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Dr. Asibong, said the deceased was first admitted at the General Hospital in Obubra Local Government Area, where he was doing his primary assignment.

Asibong said the corps member was receiving treatment for cerebral malaria after he was admitted at the General Hospital for one week, adding that after his condition worsened, he was brought unconscious to UCTH for further treatment.

She said result of further diagnosis of the deceased at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Benin confirmed that it was a case of Lassa fever.

The commissioner said: “The incident started about two weeks ago in Obubra; and we all know that the incubation period of Lassa fever is between three and 21 days. The deceased is an indigene of Delta State. The last time he travelled to his home in Lagos State was during the Christmas period in December 2016 and he came back to Cross River in January 2017.

“The deceased was living in the corps members lodge in Obubra and since he came back in January, he has not left that community. Unfortunately, we finally lost him yesterday (May 11) after a diagnosis of Lassa fever was made and from samples we took from him and sent to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

“Sadly, the corps member contacted the disease in Cross River following the scientific duration of stay in the state, since he came back from Lagos state.”

Speaking on the matter, the Cross River Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Thompson Igbu, said the organisation has been working closely with the state Ministry of Heath to curb further spread of the disease.

Igbu said: “Over 15 persons have been line-listed from Obubra including the corps members living in the lodge. We have line-listed over 15 persons in Obubra, who are `primary contact’ and the hospital where the deceased was first admitted has also been line-listed. We are supporting the state with essential drugs and we are making sure that necessary steps are taken to curb further spread of the disease’’, he said.