Ebonyi State Records 23 Deaths and 48 Lassa Fever Cases in 2024, Governor Nwifuru Reports
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has revealed that the state recorded 23 fatalities and 48 confirmed cases of Lassa fever between January and December 2024.
The governor expressed his condolences for the lives lost to the disease and confirmed that 25 infected individuals received treatment and were successfully discharged.
Governor Nwifuru made this disclosure during the handover ceremony of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Lassa fever support activities to the state’s Ministry of Health in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Thursday. He lamented the high fatality rate associated with Lassa fever in the state and across Nigeria, acknowledging the significant role played by MSF in supporting the health and well-being of Ebonyi residents.
The governor attributed the ongoing spread of Lassa fever to several factors, including poor health-seeking behaviors, inadequate sanitation, limited public awareness, and insufficient community engagement. He emphasized that the state government is dedicated to improving healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the fight against life-threatening diseases like Lassa fever and cholera.
Governor Nwifuru also highlighted key initiatives under his administration aimed at strengthening the state’s healthcare system. These include the employment of healthcare professionals, the procurement of medical equipment, and the revitalization of 171 primary healthcare centers across Ebonyi.
Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, is primarily transmitted by multimammate rats. Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving health outcomes in the state and reducing the impact of such infectious diseases on the population.
