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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government, through its Ministry of Health and Human Services, has activated a state multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa Fever, (LF-EOC) in the state.
This became necessary after the state recorded 725 suspected cases, while the death toll rose from nine to 13.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Yanmar Ortese, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Makurdi yesterday, said the centre followed a risk assessment that placed the state at a very high risk of increased Lassa fever transmission within and beyond its borders.
Ortese said the state’s situation report of the current outbreak from November 1, 2023, to March 2, 2024, being epidemiology week nine, shows a total of 725 suspected cases, 55 confirmed cases with 13 deaths, two probable cases and a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 23.6 percent.
According to him, nine local government areas, including Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Gwer East, Okpokwu, Obi, Ogbadigbo, Oturkpo and Ukum, are affected.
He said the purpose of the LF-EOC activation was to achieve a state multi-sectoral coordination and response across the affected LGAs to interrupt disease transmission, reduce the impact of the disease by reducing suffering and death and other socioeconomic implications of the disease.
The Commissioner said the number of confirmed cases was the highest in the last four year.
Ortese, who noted that early detection of cases improves the chances of its victims, urged the public to look out for symptoms of Lassa fever, which includes fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea and report quickly to the authorities, adding that in severe cases, internal bleeding could lead to death.
As prevention measures, the commissioner urged the public to practise good hygiene, such as regular hand washing with soap and water, avoid eating food contaminated with urine or feaces from infected rats, store food securely to prevent contamination by rats, keep their home and surrounding areas clean, and free of rat droppings, and to also seek medical attention immediately they experience symptoms of Lassa fever.
He also urged health workers to always observe infection prevention control measures among others using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed cases, and cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces and equipment in healthcare facilities to reduce the risk of infection.
He called on the media to join in the fight against Lassa fever by enlightening the Benue people on prevention, and other measures, saying public awareness is key to halting disease transmission in the state.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon Elias Audu, representing Gwer West, lamented that despite the dangers associated with rodents and rats, especially, the people at the rural areas in the state still see rats as meat.
He urged the government and media to maximise all avenues, including using ante natal and immunisation sessions to sensitise the people.
