By Francis Igata

ENUGU—The Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Health, yesterday, raised its alert level to red, following cases of Lassa Fever outbreaks in neighboring states of Anambra and Ebonyi States.

Also, the Health Ministry, has provided an emergency phone number that is toll free to enable affected victims report symptoms associated with Lassa Fever to the trained health workers in all the 260 wards.

While fielding questions from Vanguard during a telephone interview, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sam Ngwu said: “We have intensified surveillance in all borders as well as stepped up our sensitization campaigns. Personal Protective Equipment ,PPE, has been provided from trained health workers in all the 17 local government areas of the state to swing into action to any reported case.

“’We have also established a rapid response unit that is armed with a toll free public health emergency operation number which is:08033567036. Drugs are readily available for treatment and if we fall short of supply, we could easily get these drugs from Ebonyi State while the Federal Ministry reacts to our drug request.

We are determined to keep Enugu State Lassa Fever free to enable socio-economic activities go on smoothly without hindrance”.