Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru says the state recorded 23 fatalities and 48 confirmed cases of Lassa fever between January and December 2024.
Nwifuru said 25 infected individuals received treatment and were successfully discharged, expressing sorrow for those who lost their lives.
The governor disclosed this during the handover of Doctors Without Borders, MSF, Lassa fever support activities to the state’s Ministry of Health in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He lamented the high fatality rate of Lassa fever in Ebonyi and across Nigeria, describing MSF’s contributions as significant to the health and well-being of Ebonyi residents.
Governor Nwifuru explained factors contributing to the spread of Lassa fever, including poor health-seeking behaviours, inadequate sanitation, limited awareness, and insufficient community engagement.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to improving healthcare, especially in combating life-threatening diseases such as Lassa fever and cholera.
He also highlighted initiatives under his administration, including the employment of healthcare professionals, procurement of medical equipment, and revitalisation of 171 primary healthcare centres across the state.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus and primarily transmitted by multimammate rats.
