Lassa fever claims 3 in Delta, 24 placed under surveillance

DREADED Lassa Fever has claimed three persons even as four have been put under surveillance by the Delta State government.

Delta State government, which confirmed the death of the three persons, said the deaths were recorded since the outbreak of the scourge on January 26, 2018.

Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said two of the three deaths were from neighbouring Anambra State.

He disclosed in a press release in Asaba at the weekend that since the outbreak, the state had recorded seven confirmed cases, while 24 persons had been placed under surveillance.

Some of the cases, he said, were referred from the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba and the Institute of Lassa Fever, Irrua, Edo State.

He added that the first case had been treated and discharged, stressing that active case search and contact tracing was in progress.

According to him, as an immediate response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health, through its rapid response team, has been coordinating the state’s response to contain the spread of the disease.

He stated that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, had been contacted and currently collaborating with the state.

Dr Ononye, who was just a few days ago appointed Commissioner for Health, stated that the ministry, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Development Agency, was creating awareness through the various mass media to enable the general public to refresh their memories on how the disease is transmitted and its preventive measures.

He disclosed that revealed some Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) were earlier procured and distributed to health facilities across the state including the FMC, Asaba.

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He urged the general public not to panic but report any suspected case to the nearest health facility or call 07037120510 or 08168741415.