From Joseph Obukata, Warri
Four cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed in Okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ndokwa East local government councils of Delta State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, confirmed the cases on Friday, while addressing newsmen.
He, however, disclosed that the state government has commence advocacy and awareness campaigns, especially to health workers and sensitisation of residents to have a high index of suspicion when they see those cases.
According to him, as part of measures to control the spread of the pandemic, residents had been called upon to keep their environment clean always, and not expose food to rats and also ensure that rats do not breed in or around homes.
“In week 12, we have four confirmed cases so far recorded with a fatality rate of 50 per cent, though the general fatality rate for Lassa fever is 1-15 per cent. So, we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we curtail the transmission from patient to health workers and from patients to relatives,” he said.
He mentioned the affected Local government Areas where the cases were recorded as Okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ndokwa East, adding that Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) have been set up across the state to monitor the situation and ensure residents are aware of what is going on.