By Nnedinma Okeke
The Anambra State Government has activated emergency response measures following the confirmation of a Lassa fever case linked to Omasi community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, ASPHCDA, Dr. Chizoba Prisca Ezeasor, disclosed this on Oct. 22, in a public health advisory, describing the development as a reminder that protecting public health requires vigilance, timely action and collective responsibility.
Dr. Ezeasor explained that the state has strengthened disease surveillance, commenced contact tracing and monitoring, and put measures in place to prevent further transmission. She urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to cooperate fully with public health authorities.
According to her, Lassa fever is a viral disease primarily transmitted through contact with food and household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rats. She added that it can also spread through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of an infected person, particularly where appropriate infection prevention measures are not observed.
She advised residents to keep food and drinking water covered, store foodstuffs in clean rodent-proof containers, maintain clean homes and surroundings, dispose of waste properly to discourage rats from breeding, avoid eating food suspected to have been contaminated by rodents, wash hands regularly and practice good personal and environmental hygiene.
The Executive Secretary also cautioned residents to avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone suspected to have Lassa fever and to be conversant with its warning signs.
She noted that Lassa fever may begin with fever, weakness, headache and general body pains, with other symptoms such as sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, adding that its symptoms can resemble malaria or other common illnesses.
Dr. Ezeasor urged anyone with persistent fever or malaria-like symptoms that do not improve with appropriate treatment to seek medical attention immediately and not rely on self-medication, stressing that early diagnosis and prompt treatment can save lives.
She further called on healthcare workers to maintain strict infection prevention and control practices, promptly report suspected cases and adhere to established public health protocols.
She appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, healthcare workers and residents across the state to support awareness campaigns and report suspected cases promptly to the nearest health facility, while discouraging rumour-mongering, sharing of unverified information and stigmatization of affected individuals and their families.
Dr. Ezeasor reaffirmed the commitment of ASPHCDA to strengthening primary healthcare, disease surveillance and community awareness in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and development partners, noting that Lassa fever is preventable and early action saves lives.
Nnedinma Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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