According to Punch, Ukpong, also said another patient undergoing treatment escaped the hospital.
The Akwa Ibom state government has also set up a task-force on the eradication of Lassa fever.
So far, three victims have died of the disease.
Meanwhile, in a bid to curb the spread of the disease, the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Lagos State Chapter, on Monday, January 25, 2016, said that it had destroyed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.
Also, contrary to reports of the Lassa Fever disease surfacing in Katsina, Dr Kabir Bakori, the Medical Director of Funtua General Hospital, Funtua in Katsina State, said that the suspected isolated Lassa Fever patient, whose name was withheld, tested negative to the disease.
The Chairman of Rivers State branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Furo Green, has warned Rivers state residents to stop drinking Garri soaked in cold water due to rats that carry the highly contagious Lassa fever virus.
