By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Fifteen suspected cases of Lassa fever and one death has been discovered in Anambra State within January.

Confirming it during a press conference in Awka on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the state’s emergency response team had already responded to the recorded cases while relevant surveillance measures were in place to curtail spread.

He said that government had constituted contact tracing teams to follow up on the cases.

Obidike said: “So far in Anambra State, we have recorded fifteen suspected cases of Lassa fever and one death.

The ministry is following the National guidelines in managing the cases of Lassa fever in the state. And we have started contact tracing to manage the situation and prevent further spread.”

While advising residents to visit the nearest health facility if they noticed any signs and symptoms associated with Lassa fever which he said included fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting and muscle pains, he stressed that clean environment was key to reducing risk of Lassa fever infection.

“Block all holes in your house to prevent rats from entering. Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly.

Practice good personal and hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap under running water,” the Commissioner added.

Speaking also on the outbreak of Diphtheria, the Commissioner said that the state had not recorded any case, adding that the ministry was on high alert and taking proactive measures to guard against the spread of the disease in the state

Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness spread by African rat.

It is endemic in parts of West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. Lassa fever is named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases occurred in 1969.