Lassa Fever: Edo urges surveillance
Amidst increased cases of the Lassa Fever with nine deaths from 11 local government councils across Edo State, the Government has stepped up the campaign to curb the spread of the disease, rallying the support and collaboration of all residents to contain the disease and protect citizens across all communities.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, while addressing journalists in Benin City, said the state has continued to witness a steady rise in the number of cases and deaths from the disease and urged residents to comply with all guidelines to contain the disease.
She noted that the state has now recorded 97 confirmed cases and nine deaths from 11 local government councils across the state, reassuring that the government is stepping up sensitisation campaigns as well as surveillance and response activities, and taking other necessary steps to contain Lassa fever.
The commissioner said the affected local governments include Etsako West, Esan West, Esan North East, Esan Central, Esan South East, Etsako East, Owan East, Akoko Edo, Ovia North East, Oredo, and Etsako Central.
She added, “All Edo residents should be aware and take responsibility to work with the Ministry of Health, observe preventive measures, and report early symptoms suspected to be malaria or any other illnesses that present like malaria to complement the government’s efforts at containing the disease.”
She further charged the citizens to reach out to the disease surveillance or notification officers within their local government areas if they have been in contact with someone confirmed to have Lassa fever or suspect any symptoms of Lassa fever or any other priority disease.
The disease surveillance or notification officers’ contacts include: Akoko Edo — 07034420077; Egor — 08078750376; Esan Central — 09074513116; Esan North East — 08034897353; Esan South East — 07035389297; Esan West — 07016618702; Etsako Central — 07035411607 and Etsako East — 09026339245; Etsako West— 08060443793; Igueben — 08135041727; Ikpoba Okha — 08074431217; Oredo — 09052887778; Orhionmwon — 07032436654; Ovia North East — 08036859629; Ovia South West — 08130989877; Owan East — 07031295391; Owan East — 08135649368, and Uhunmwode — 08057861900.
