Tension in Enugu over fresh Lassa fever case

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ESPHCDA

–starts train-the-trainers campaign


Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

There is tension in Enugu state over the confirmation of the fourth case of Lassa Fever Virus by the Enugu State government.

 Executive Secretary, ENSPHCDA, Dr  George Ugwu flanked on the left by the State's Epideamologist, Dr Chinyere  Ezeadu; and Dr Onyinye Enebe of Disease Control Unit, ESPHCDA during the  training
Executive Secretary, ENSPHCDA, Dr  George Ugwu flanked on the left by the State’s Epideamologist, Dr Chinyere  Ezeadu; and Dr Onyinye Enebe of Disease Control Unit, ESPHCDA during the  training

Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi told newsmen that the patient is stable and receiving intensive treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while tracing of all contact persons had begun.

Agujiobi said: “Yes, I can confirm it, but the situation is under control. The patient is stable and receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of one of our health facilities,” he said.

The latest report came on the heels of the flag-off of a special train-the-trainers workshop by the state government where selected health officers from the 17 local government areas of the state would be trained.

The workshop which was christened “Sensitization Meeting on the Outbreak of Lassa Fever in Enugu State”, was organised by the State Primary Healthcare development Agency (ENS-PHCDA).

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Contributing, the Executive Secretary of ENS-PHCDA, Dr George Ugwu said the training is about sensitisation and information step-down, adding that the LGA officers would, after the training, step down the sensitization to the council areas, community and ward levels, as well.

Ugwu noted that, “the workshop is organised for PHC Coordinators, Disease Surveillance Officers and Disease Information Educators in the 17 council areas; we will further step-down the training to each council area, community and ward in the state.

“We want to further deepen information and awareness on Lassa Fever, risk factors and life-style; everyone, especially our people at the rural communities must keep themselves and everyone safe because, prevention is better than cure.

“The training covers symptoms, case definition and appropriate way of sharing Lassa Fever education without causing panic. That is why the government, through the state ministry of health and the ENS-PHCDA are constantly on top of the situation doing everything possible to contain the development,” he said.

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He urged all PHC workers, who he said, are the first health responders at the communities, to always be on the alert and suspicious of all feverish symptoms, adding that they should strictly maintain all personal preventive measures including ensuring regular hand washing and disinfecting of their PHC facilities always.

He further advised all residents to avoid consumption of all kinds of rat and always maintain high personal hygiene including constant hand washing and general environmental cleanliness.

He added that, “Our people should stop drying garri, abacha and other food items in open fields. Cover all food and food handling containers and plates and ensure that they do not eat leftover food that is not properly,” he said.

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According to the ENS-PHCDA boss, the state had recorded a total 307 contacts tracing for those exposed to the various confirmed Lassa fever cases in the state.

He added that of the figure, 251 contact tracing were done for health workers serving at health facilities within the state and 56 contact tracing for family members and relatives of confirmed cases.

He further explained that out of the four confirmed cases, two of the patients had died while the other two, including the latest case are receiving treatment.

While the first dead case, a 75-year old farmer died at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane while the second diseased case occurred at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.

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