News & Politics
Ebonyi Schools Shut Down In Wake Of Lassa Fever Outbreak
Following an outbreak of Lassa Fever in Ebonyi State, its government has called for the close of all schools in the state over the next week. Citing the decision as maintaining proactivity, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. John Eke, noted that the directive was in reaction to a woman testing positive to Lassa fever. Since […]
Following an outbreak of Lassa Fever in Ebonyi State, its government has called for the close of all schools in the state over the next week. Citing the decision as maintaining proactivity, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. John Eke, noted that the directive was in reaction to a woman testing positive to Lassa fever.
Since the outbreak which began on Sunday, three individuals have been pronounced dead while healthcare officials have remained on high alert.
Per Guardian, Eke was quick to reassert the need for calm while he suggested the government is on top of the situation. Hesaid:
“First of all, I want to inform you that the issue of the outbreak of the lassa disease is not in alarming rate, and what we have done is to ensure that we effectively put the spread under control …. We believe that one of the best ways to handle the situation is to shut down our schools until we are sure that our pupils and students are safe …. The schools will remain shut for seven school days to enable us monitor the situation and we appeal to parents, guardians and school authorities to comply with the directive.”
Sources: Guardian & This Day
Featured Image: Hope High International School
