THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ebonyi state branch, yesterday commended the Federal Government for including the state among the states that will benefit in the plan to build a virology laboratory centres for testing and treating of Lassa fever.

At a press briefing in Abakaliki, the state Chairman of the association, Dr Ugochukwu Umahi, said since the outbreak of the virus, the federal and state governments have taken various steps to control the disease.

He lauded the Federal Government for the initiative, maintaining that the import and impact of the facility could not be overemphasised.

He said Lassa fever has been a perennial problem in Ebonyi state such that between 2005 and 2014, 82 cases were reported, with an average of 25 deaths among health workers.

Umahi, who explained that specimens and patients have had to be sent to Irrua in Edo state or Lagos state for confirmation and care, from Ebonyi state noted that the establishment of virology laboratory would help the state and her neighbors.

He said the burden over the years has evidently been heavy on the health workers, even as he called for enlightenment campaign on the virus.

The NMA boss urged people to keep their environments clean, avoid eating food contaminated by rats and seek early medical attention for persons with feverish feelings.

The Chairman, Lassa Fever Committee, Dr Nnennaya Ajayi, commended the Federal Government for its plans to establish the centre in the state, but called on the government to establish a comprehensive centre that has diagnostic and treatment arm. “A diagnostic centre does not require only testing for Lassa fever specifically. Ancillary investigations and appropriate bio-safety lab should be put in place to handle all these things,” she added.