121 Lassa Fever Infections Reported In Ondo, 4 In Bauchi… 2 Die In Enugu

Published on January 31, 2020

121 Lassa Fever Infections Reported In Ondo, 4 In Bauchi… 2 Die In Enugu

121 people have been reportedly infected with the deadly Lassa fever virus in Ondo State.
According to authority, the deadly virus has reached more than 10 out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Most of the victims of the disease were said to have been quarantined at the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owo.
The state Epidemiologist, Dr Stephen Fagbemi who confirmed the development, said some patients were also admitted in Akure, the state capital where they were quarantine, while five patients from other states were treated in Ondo state.
According to him, the Akure centre which was just opened is being used as holding centre and once the patients are confirmed, they will be moved to the Federal Medical Centre Owo.
He said 50 people are currently undergoing treatment, while 46 persons have been treated and discharged
He assured that the state government would redouble its efforts at enlightening the people on the need to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to him, the state government is doing everything possible to curtail the spread of the deadly disease.

Lassa Fever Virus Kills 2 In Enugu

Two people including a pregnant woman have died since the reported outbreak of Lassa fever in Enugu.

On the whole six, suspected cases were reported out of which 3 were confirmed.

The third victim, a 24-year-old female youth corper who just returned from Benue state survived the attack and is responding to treatment.

These were disclosed at a press conference jointly addressed by the Enugu state ministries for Information, Health, Education, Water Resources and Agriculture on Friday at the state Secretariat.

The pregnant woman who died from the Lassa fever attack was as a result of reporting late to health facilities.

The commissioner for information, Chidi Aroh who presided at the conference assured that Enugu state government was being conscious of the scourge and is taking necessary steps to protect the people against it.

He said the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has exhibited his leadership qualities in this direction and as a result, the management of the crisis was on course.

“Jingles are being run in radio and television stations for enlightenment while leaflets on how to prevent the fever have been printed and being distributed across the state.

” Government has purchased all required materials and equipment to fight the scourge as well as providing emergency facilities in the event of any noticed occurrence in any part of the state,” Aroh hinted.

He disclosed that apart from the 11 government hospitals mapped out for emergency, nine private hospitals have been added as emergency facilities, bringing the total to 20 hospitals across the state.

In addition to these, Aroh informed that the state government has directed the fumigation of all refuse dumps in the state with a view to ridding them of rodents.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of health, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi assured that the scourge has been under control since the first reported case on January 2.

He confirmed that the ministry has received full consignment of materials and equipment, adding that the health workers at various designated hospitals were being adequately protected.

Agujiobi assured that efforts were being made to permanently uproot the source of the spread of the scourge, particularly rodent rats.

” The state government is on top of the situation and by the special grace of God, it will be a thing of the past, ” he said.

The commissioner for education, Prof Uchenna Eze said the received directive from Governor Ugwuanyi to reach out to every school in the state – primary, post primary and tertiary and educate them on how to protect themselves against Lassa fever.