Lassa Fever Kills Two In Imo, Seven Quarantined – Health Commissioner Confirms

Two residents of Owerri have died of Lassa fever which has resurfaced in Imo state, the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, has confirmed.

While speaking to a correspondent in Owerri on Wednesday, the Imo State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, said that two residents of Owerri have died of Lassa fever which has resurfaced in the state.

According to PUNCH, Uwakwem said; “Lassa fever is in Owerri. It is confirmed”, adding that two persons died of the virus after they were “referred out of” the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

The health commissioner said, “We have seven suspected cases of Lassa fever. Two are confirmed.

“The Imo State Government is working hard to establish the point of first contact. The media should also help us to enlighten our people.

“People should stop unnecessary shaking of hands. People should also stop eating exposed foods. The virus is caused by rats, so people should be encouraged to make use of rat poison in their homes.”

The Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, revealed in a telephone conversation on Wednesday that two victims were referred to the hospital.

According to him, the Lassa fever victims who were referred to FMC from another hospital were later “referred out.”

He explained that Governor Rochas Okorocha has been informed of the outbreak of the virus and the number of victims, and debunked the speculations that the victims died in FMC, Owerri, saying that the authorities of the hospital referred them out of the Federal Government-owned facility after that had been given medical attention.

But a source in government who preferred not to be mentioned told our correspondent that the victims died out of the state.