• Benue confirms 2 deaths, 17 cases
From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Edo State, in the last 24 hours, recorded three new deaths from Lassa fever, raising the total number of fatalities in the state to 23.
The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi, who made the disclosure to journalists in Benin City, said the state also recorded five new confirmed cases, raising the number of infections to 160.
She said while the new cases were confirmed in Etsako West, Esan Central and Esan North East, the three new deaths were recorded in Esan North East and Etsako West.
Decrying the rising number of infections and deaths from the disease, Prof. Akoria urged residents to support the government’s efforts at containing Lassa fever across all Edo communities by complying with preventive protocols against its spread.
While reiterating the need for citizens to report early symptoms suspected to be malaria or any other illnesses that present like malaria, the commissioner further charged them to reach out to the disease surveillance or notification officers within their local government areas if they have been in contact with someone confirmed to have Lassa fever or suspect any symptoms of Lassa fever or any other priority disease.
The commissioner noted that the state Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer could be reached at 08060593802, while the State Epidemiologist could be contacted at 08064258163.
Also, the Benue State government said two people have lost their lives as a result of Lassa Fever in the state.
Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr Joseph Ngbea, made the disclosure while speaking at this year’s One Health Lassa Fever Awareness Week, in Makurdi, yesterday. He said out of the 42 suspected cases of Lassa fever in the state,17 have been confirmed, while two have died from January to date.
Ngbea, who noted that Lassa Fever is a Public Health concern in Nigeria and in Benue with outbreaks occurring regularly, said for this year alone, “the state has a fatality rate of 11.7; it is not just worrisome, but calls for collective action to stop the spread of the disease in Benue.” He described Lassa Fever as a zoonotic disease transmitted from rodents to humans, which could be transmitted through person to person contact, and cautioned the people to desist from hunting and eating of rats.
“It is dangerous, but preventable if steps such as good hygiene, storing of food in secured containers, keeping the home and surrounding clean, seeking medical attention immediately symptoms are noticed and implementation of vector control measures are imbibed.
Dr Ngbea listed the symptoms to include fever, fatigue, headache, sore throats, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and in severe cases, internal bleeding, leading to death.
The Health Commissioner urged health workers to observe infection prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning and disinfection, isolation and quarantine as well as patient education. He also called on Benue people to implement vector control measures that will reduce rats habitats and eliminate rats completely from our environment, so as to prevent Lassa Fever disease.
He disclosed that about 100 VAX of Ribavirin has been procured by the state government to address the disease among patients and health workers when diagnosed and appealed to those with strange symptoms to visit the hospital immediately. Ngbea insisted that those who see rat as a delicacy must desist from it with immediate effect.