Anambra state government has said it is now better prepared to tackle the Laser fever outbreak that it was before.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Awka on the first case of Laser Fever.
Dr Okpala explained that the index case was safely transported to Viral Centre in FETHA Abakiliki in line with National guidelines on zonal arrangement on management of Lassa fever, while the Emergency Response Team successfully decontaminated the Isolation ward which accommodated the index case.
The Commissioner said in continuation of response to the index case, the State government has activated the Public Health Emergency Operation Center, operating under the direction of the National Coordination Centre and has constituted four contact tracing teams that have already started contact list as well as conducted search case at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka Nnamdi Azikiwe University Center Awka.
He urged people of the State to take necessary safety measures including avoiding direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats and contamination of household items, surface or food by infected rats among others to compliment efforts of Government to protect the state from Laser Fever and advised Health workers in public and private facilities to take special precautions as demanded by the situation , stressing that any illness that has not responded to treatment in forty eight hours should be raised as an index case of suspicion for Lassa Fever as the state will continue to investigate all rumours of outbreaks and debunked rumours of suspected cases at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka
The Commissioner reassured the people of the state that the state government is well prepared and equipped to manage every emergency and has taken necessary precaution to control the situation.
He urged people with relevant information to contact Anambra State Emergency Operational Center on the following lines 08107446408, 09016912956, 08030953771, 08058967320.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi said the state had strong and professional team including some members of International Response team who are on ground to effectively respond to Lassa and other viral haemorrhagic fevers.
The state chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Emmanuel Mounagor said they are satisfied with the arrangement put in place by the state government to contain the situation and would work closely with the Ministry to achieve the set goals.
In his remarks the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr Jonh Ndibe, urged people with information to contact relevant authorities to avoid creating panic in Communities.
