The Cross River State government has confirmed an outbreak of Lassa Fever in Obubra Local Government Area following the death of a 30-year-old farmer from Unincha community.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk disclosed that the victim died on February 17 at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FUTHA), after being diagnosed with Lassa Fever a day earlier.
The state’s Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Center was activated on February 18, with rapid response teams collaborating with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to curb the spread.
Containment efforts include contact tracing, community sensitization, decontamination of affected homes, and distribution of emergency medical supplies in high-risk areas.
Dr. Ayuk urged residents to maintain strict hygiene and avoid self-medication, emphasizing the need for vigilance as early rains approach—a season often associated with outbreaks of Lassa Fever, cholera, and other epidemic-prone illnesses.
The state government, under Governor Bassey Otu, remains on high alert, reinforcing measures to prevent further infections and safeguard public health.
