The Cross River State Government has verified an epidemic of Lassa Fever in the Obubra local government area subsequent to the demise of a 30-year-old man from the Unincha village.
Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the Commissioner for Health, declared the outbreak in a statement issued on February 24, 2025, indicating that the person died from the sickness on February 17 at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FUTHA), Ebonyi State.
The man sought medical assistance at FUTHA on February 15 after being sick for many days. He tested positive for Lassa Fever on February 16; nevertheless, after receiving treatment, he succumbed the next day.
His remains were processed at FUTHA and conveyed to Unincha for a monitored interment, overseen by the Obubra local government area Rapid Response Team.
Dr. Ayuk activated the Cross River State Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Center on February 18 in response to the outbreak.
Rapid response teams from the state and local government areas were deployed to Unincha.
The State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are collaborating to implement the intervention.
Key containment strategies including contact tracing and monitoring, community sensitizing and awareness campaigns, town hall meetings with local leaders, decontamination of impacted homes, sample collecting for laboratory testing, referral of symptomatic individuals to healthcare facilities, as well as distribution of Lassa Fever and cholera medication, medical supplies, and protective equipment in high-risk local government areas are being followed by the response teams.
Dr. Ayuk reassured locals that Governor Bassey Edet Otu-led government is totally ready to stop the spread of infectious diseases and control the epidemic.
Lassa Fever, cholera, and mpox are serious health hazards, thus he advised people to stay alert, especially during early rains.
He revealed that the Lassa virus, spread by Mastomys rats, tropical animals, causes Lassa Fever.
After general weakness, fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and uncontrollable bleeding may occur.
For infection prevention, the commissioner advised residents to keep their surroundings clean and rodent-free, store food in rat-proof containers, avoid direct contact with rats or their droppings, seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear, avoid self-medication, and report suspected cases to health authorities.
IREPORT247NEW published the information released by the NCDC on its official website, the number of verified cases increased from 54 in week one of 2025 to 89 in week two alone.
According to IREPORT247NEW Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kogi, and Ebonyi States were among the states where cases were reported and within the first two weeks of 2025, with 77 percent of the confirmed cases, Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states make up the majority. Ondo leads with 38 percent, followed by Edo with 22 percent, and Bauchi with 17 percent. Four additional states account for the remaining 23% of cases.
According to the state government, there have been 353 reported infections and 112 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in Ondo State, resulting in at least 12 fatalities.