The Ebonyi State government has ordered the immediate shut down of all private, government and mission schools in the state following the outbreak of  Lassa fever.

The State Commissioner of Eucation, Professor John Eke who made the announcement in Abakaliki said the decision was taken after a mother and her child tested positive to the disease which has also claimed the lives of health workers in the state and left many in critical conditions at Irrua Specialist Hospital.

Prof. Eke said that to protect the  lives of school children in the state, the schools  would remain under lock and key till Friday next week.

He warmed parents to be careful about the people they and their children interact with and ensure that they maintain a high level of sanitation  in their immediate and remote environments .