The Ebonyi State Ministry of Health says the death toll of the victims of the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state has risen to four even as another 139 persons have been placed under surveillance.

The State Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike who made the revelation while addressing journalists in Abakaliki said a total of nine cases have so far been confirmed in the state.

“At present, the state has a total of nine confirmed cases, four deaths and three others on treatment, including 139 persons now under surveillance. Also, a mother has been confirmed positive and is presently taking treatment and this incident happened yesterday.

“We have three patients on treatment and all of them are doing well and we have contact tracing as well as another 139 people that we have kept on surveillance,” Mr. Umezuruike said.

He added that the state government was on top of the situation as committees have been set and strategies set in motion to ensure that the disease was brought under control within the shortest possible time.

The Ebonyi State Government had on Wednesday ordered the immediate shut down of all schools in the state following the outbreak of the disease which had also claimed the lives of some health workers.