Lassa fever has claimed the life of a medical doctor and three others in Anambra State.

The death of the three was disclosed to journalists in Awka by the state Ministry of Health during a one-day Lassa fever training workshop.

One of the resource persons at the workshop, Dr. Jane Ezeonu, confirmed that the medical doctor died at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, three days ago after a referral from Asaba in neighbouring Delta State.

The Director of Public Health in the state, Dr Emmanuel Okafor, said the state had equally recorded the death of three others recently. He warned inhabitants of the state to desist from drinking raw garri, adding that they should also cultivate the culture of protecting their food and related items from rats.

While explaining that people do not acquire immunity after suffering from Lassa fever, Ezeonu said general hygiene plays an important role in Lassa fever prevention.

Speaking on the purpose of the workshop, Dr. Okafor said that the workshop was aimed at training professionals who would go to the grassroots to educate the people on the prevention of the disease.

He noted that there is no official record of the number of cases of the disease, but that three deaths have been confirmed so far.

Okafor called on health workers in the state to exercise high standard in handling Lassa fever cases.

He hinted that the State Government has put a machinery in motion to tackle the scourge and prevent further deaths.

Earlier in his speech, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Okwuchukwu Chukwuka, denied that there was Lassa fever epidemic in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, who represented the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, said: “We are having the workshop for prevention not that we have an epidemic in the state.”

•Photo shows Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

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