Imo confirms first case of Lassa fever

The Imo State Government has confirmed the first case of Lassa fever in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Social Development and Women Affairs, Mrs. Ngozi Njoku, in a statement at the weekend said the state government was informed of a secret treatment and subsequent referral of a suspected patient from a private hospital without official report to government for appropriate action. The statement said the patient later tested positive to the disease and warned that henceforth, there should be strict adherence to ‘official health protocol.’

The commissioner listed the emergency numbers to call when a suspected Lassa fever case is observed as 08036689953, 08098969505, 08033009841
and 08163432989.

“All public and private health institutions in the state are mandatorily required to pass through the Ministry of Health any suspected case in their facilities. This is in the interest of the health of hospital staff and public,” according to the statement.