The Cross River Government on Thursday announced the outbreak of Lassa fever in Ejah Community of Osupong Ward 1, Obubura Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a notification by Dr Henry Ayuk, Cross River Commissioner for Health in Calabar, Dr Henry Ayuk.

Mr Ayuk said the state government has begun contact tracing and line listing.

He said, “This is to notify the public of the Lassa fever outbreak in Ejah Community of Osupong Ward 1, Obubra LGA. Investigation has been concluded and details of the deceased, a resident of Obubra, gotten from Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebony State—confirmed he died of Lassa fever.’’

He said that the state government had activated the Community Rescue Service Emergency Operation Centre. The state Rapid Response Team will be going to Obubra to join the LGA team to ensure contact tracing and line listing.

He noted. “The team will carry out a decontamination of affected premises, awareness creation and risk communication. We are also mobilising Lassa fever commodities, consumables and personal protective equipment to the General Hospital Obubra and other locations.’’

The WHO says Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus.

The UN says it is primarily transmitted to humans either through direct contact with infected Mastomys rodents, or through food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rodents.

The WHO says human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids. 

(NAN)