The Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to contain Lassa fever and strengthen disease surveillance following the confirmation of a case in Ayamelum Local Government Area.
As part of the response, the State Ministry of Health has trained healthcare workers and conducted facility readiness assessments at Anaku General Hospital in Ayamelum and Umueri General Hospital in Anambra East Local Government Area.
The intervention is designed to enhance early detection, prompt reporting, clinical management, infection prevention and control, and appropriate referral of suspected Lassa fever cases across the state.
During the training sessions, healthcare workers acquired practical knowledge and skills in identifying suspected cases, conducting active case searches, safe sample collection, disease notification, clinical management, documentation, referral procedures, and infection prevention and control measures.
At Anaku General Hospital, approximately 30 healthcare workers participated in the exercise. The response team also assessed a building within the facility for possible conversion into a Lassa fever holding centre to facilitate the initial assessment and referral of suspected cases from Ayamelum and neighbouring communities.
The proposed facility, however, requires the necessary infrastructure, equipment and infection prevention measures before it can become operational.
Similarly, 20 healthcare workers at Umueri General Hospital received training to strengthen their capacity to identify and manage suspected cases and ensure timely referral. The team also assessed the hospital’s isolation centre, which has already been renovated by the state government to support Lassa fever response activities.
The exercise was facilitated by a multidisciplinary team led by the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Chuma Emebolu, alongside Chijioke Chinemelu, State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer; Dr. Kenneth Nwokolo, Infection Prevention and Control Pillar Lead; Dr. Peter Anierobi, Lassa Fever and Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Case Manager; and Dr. Obi Chinenye, Chief Medical Director of Umueri General Hospital and Lassa Fever Case Manager.
The activities received support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which provided training materials, feeding, transportation and personal protective equipment, while the World Health Organization (WHO) offered technical assistance to strengthen the state’s response.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents through improved disease surveillance, enhanced healthcare worker capacity and effective emergency response measures.
It urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, promptly report suspected cases and strictly adhere to infection prevention and control guidelines to prevent further transmission.
