SAN FRANCISCO, January 12, (THEWILL) – Same day that the Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole gleefully announced the nonoccurrence of any new confirmed incidence of Lassa fever in the country within the last 72 hours, the Ondo State government announced that the state has lost two persons to the epidemic.
The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Dayo Adeyanyu, who disclosed this at a Lassa Prevention Stakeholders meeting organised for Health workers, religious, opinion and traditional leaders in Akure, said one of the suspects came into the state from neighbouring Edo state.
Prof. Adewale had earlier at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday stated that the no incidence of Lassa fever was an indication that the spread of the disease was being curtailed.
According to him, “As of today, records from our surveillance team show that the number of suspected cases is 93; number of laboratory confirmed cases is 25, and the number of reported deaths is 41, with a fatality rate of 44 percent.
“We will like to state that given the high index of suspicion, the increasing number of suspected cases may not be out of place as health practitioners are more likely to include Lassa fever as a differential diagnosis in their health care facilities.
“However, the good news is that there have been no new confirmed cases or deaths in the last 72 hours. This is a reflection of our coordinated response and advocacy to all states.”
Meanwhile, the Ondo Health Commissioner disclosed that 31 persons, who had in one way or the other had contact with the two suspects killed by the disease in the state, had been placed under surveillance in order to prevent the spread of the disease across the state.
He equally counseled religious leaders not to harbour sick persons who manifest symptoms of Lassa but referred them to the nearest hospital for prompt attention.
Adeyanju revealed that the outbreak control team at the local government has been re-activated, while emergency lines have been released to the public in addition to intensified jingles on radio and television.
The Health Minister however advised Nigerians that there was no need to panic as the nation is capable of dealing with the outbreak of the disease, adding that four suspected cases of the disease in Rivers and Lagos states turned out to be negative.
While revealing that there was a cure for Lassa fever, he advised citizens to be vigilant as early detection helps in nipping the disease in the bud.
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