Onwuegbuzie Stanley-Samuel, an NYSC member deployed to Cross River, has died of Lassa fever disease at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, told newsmen on Friday in Calabar, that the deceased was first admitted at the General Hospital, Obubra, where he was treated for cerebral malaria for one week.

“The incident started about two weeks ago in Obubra and we all know that the incubation period of Lassa fever is 3-21 days.

“The deceased is an indigene of Delta State. The last time he travelled to his home in Lagos State was during the Christmas period in December 2016 and came back to Cross River in January 2017.

“The deceased was living in the corps members’ lodge in Obubra and since he came back in January, he has not left that community

“Unfortunately, we finally lost him yesterday. Sadly, the corps member contracted the disease in Cross River,” she said.

Igbu said that the organisation was working closely with the state Ministry of Health to curb further spread of the disease in the state.

Dr Ngim Ogbu, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UCTH, said that the the corps member`s death was the second recorded case of death resulting from Lassa fever in the hospital.

Ogbu said that the infection control unit of the hospital was on top of the case from the beginning by limiting the number of contacts.

“The body of the deceased has not been sent to the mortuary, this is because we are taking measures to curb further spread of the disease’’, he said