The Anambra State Government has activated emergency measures following the confirmation of a Lassa fever case involving a patient linked to Omasi community in Ayamelum Local Government Area.
The patient is receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, in Ebonyi State, the state Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, says.
Obidike disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, where he said the government had strengthened disease surveillance and public awareness to prevent further transmission.
He said the Ministry of Health had activated its Incident Management System with support from health partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Health officials are expected to visit the affected household in Omasi to identify people who had contact with the patient and monitor them according to their level of exposure.
Obidike urged residents experiencing persistent fever or malaria-like symptoms that do not improve with treatment to seek medical attention promptly.
He also warned against relying solely on self-medication, stressing the importance of early medical intervention.
The state epidemiologist, Emembolu Chuma, advised residents to take preventive measures against rodents, which can spread Lassa fever through contaminated food and household items.
He urged residents to keep food covered, store it in rodent-proof containers and maintain clean surroundings.
The Ministry of Health also warned residents against contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected or confirmed Lassa fever patients.
It called on people in Omasi, other communities in Ayamelum and across Anambra State to remain vigilant, cooperate with health officials and avoid spreading unverified information.
The government said the emergency measures aim to monitor potential contacts, limit transmission and prevent further cases.
