Lassa Fever: Edo North, Central account for over 95 per cent

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, has revealed that Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial Districts account for over 95 per cent of the 40 confirmed Lassa Fever cases in the state.

The Honourable Commissioner unveiled the statistics during the sensitisation campaign to the two Senatorial Districts on Monday, meeting with proprietary medicine dealers in the senatorial districts to complement the government’s efforts at containing the disease.

Akoria said, “The Governor Godwin Obaseki-led state government remains committed to the health and wellbeing of all residents and is taking necessary steps, including improving surveillance and sensitisation, among others, to contain Lassa fever and protect the Edo people.

“The Edo State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre for Lassa Fever has been activated since January 5, 2023, even as we have continued to rally stakeholders in the state, especially in Edo Central and Edo North, where we have most confirmed cases of the virus. The two senatorial districts account for about 99 per cent of all confirmed cases in the state, as we recently confirmed one case in Ovia North East local council, which is the only Lassa fever case recorded in Edo South senatorial district.”

“We also educated the proprietary medicine dealers on some of the symptoms to watch out for while attending to these suspected Lassa fever patients.”

The health commissioner said the ministry decided to focus on the proprietary medicine dealers because they are the first point of contact for patients who may be manifesting the symptoms of Lassa fever and should be told to always refer such patients to the nearest health facility, such as the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for Lassa fever screening, where everything concerning Lassa fever treatment has been provided by the government for free.

With her at the campaign are the Incident Manager, Ministry of Health, Dr Ekaete Tobi; State Director of Public Health, Dr Stephenson Ojeifoh, and the Director of Pharmacy Services, Ministry of Health, Mrs Osa-Afe Tivere, among others.