A tragic health crisis has rocked Cross River State as a 30-year-old farmer from Unincha community in Obubra Local Government Area has been confirmed dead from Lassa Fever. The shocking revelation was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, in a public statement issued on February 24, 2025, confirming an outbreak of the highly contagious disease.
The deceased, whose identity remains undisclosed, succumbed to the virus on February 17 at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FUTHA), Ebonyi State. According to official reports, he had sought medical attention at FUTHA on February 15 after battling severe symptoms for days. Despite intensive medical intervention, he was diagnosed with Lassa Fever on February 16 and tragically passed away just a day later.
The health commissioner disclosed that the victim’s remains were carefully handled and transported back to Unincha community, where a supervised burial was conducted by the Obubra LGA Rapid Response Team to prevent further spread of the virus.
Read Also: Mysterious sleep disorder hits Cross River Community, leaves residents hospitalized
With the fear of a full-blown epidemic, the state government has swung into action. The Cross River State Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Center has been activated, and health authorities are working round the clock to contain the outbreak. The state and LGA rapid response teams have been deployed to Unincha in collaboration with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent further casualties.
Emergency response measures are in full force, including aggressive contact tracing, close case monitoring, and mass sensitization campaigns to alert residents about the dangers of the deadly virus. Community leaders have been engaged in urgent town hall meetings to enforce preventive measures and curb potential transmission.
As panic grips the state, health officials are urging residents to maintain high hygiene standards, avoid contact with rodents, and report any unusual symptoms immediately. With Lassa Fever notorious for its high fatality rate, authorities are in a race against time to prevent further loss of lives.
