The Cross River State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, has confirmed the outbreak of suspected human African trypanosomiasis, popularly known as sleeping sickness, at Ebom Community in the Abi Local Government Area of the State
He disclosed this yesterday at a Town Hall meeting held in yesterday in Calabar in company of the State’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Goddy Effah.
According to him, health professionals, multiple patients have been admitted to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Ebom and the General Hospital in Ugep in connection with illness.
The commissioner equally urged residents to remain vigilant to put the disease under control.
Also, Effah, and the Director of Primary Healthcare in Abi Council , Christy Iwara, appealed to the state government to ensure speedy response in order to tackle the scourge.
Human African trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease transmitted through tsetse fly bites. This vector-borne parasitic disease can be found near lakes and farmlands.
The symptoms include abnormal sleeping patterns, fever, muscle pain, and weakness; when left untreated, it can lead to complications.
However, residents of the community are advised to wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent further insect bites just as they directed to report to the nearest health facilities if any symptoms are observed.
