From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State is currently experiencing outbreaks of Measles and Buruli ulcer, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, has said.
The Commissioner, while briefing newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, disclosed that the state has recorded 256 suspected cases of measles with 31 confirmed.
According to him, the cases were recorded across five Local Government Areas of the state including Buruku Gwer west, Logo, Ushongo and Vandeikya.
He stated that the state team has responded to the situation and the surveillance officers are following the events very closely.
He further stated that the ministry is also investigating about 354 suspected cases of Buruli Ulcer across 11 LGAs.
According to him, Buruli ulcer, also called searl or mossman ulcer, is a bacterial infection, caused by infection with the organism Mycobacterium ulcerans, and is highly infectious.
He called out to partners who have technical competencies in the containment of outbreaks in the above named diseases to work with the state government to enhance the health security of the state, and by extension, Nigeria and the global community.
While describing public awareness as key to halting disease transmission, Ortese urged journalists to use their individual medium sensitive the people to achieve success in the fight against diseases in Benue.
Ortese who lamented shortage of staff due to the japa syndrome appreciated hi staff in the ministry, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, (BSUTH), Benue State Primary Health Care Board, (BSPHCB), for their hard work and dedication to duty in working to address these outbreaks.
He also thanked the partners in the state; the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Breakthrough Action Nigeria, among other key stakeholders for the support they are providing to the state.