No fewer than 15 persons have been killed by the deadly Lassa fever in Ondo State in the last week, while about 28 others were confirmed to be on the danger list.
It was gathered that the diseases had infected over 100 people who are under treatment at the Virology department of the Federal Medical Center, (FMC) Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
According to a source, who disclosed that most of the victims are from Oka Akoko, Owo and Ose local government areas of the state, and said some of the patients are being referred to FMC Owo, on daily basis from hospitals in these communities.
He said the dedicated ward for the Lassa fever had been occupied while some of the patients were being referred to the virology centre in Akure, the state capital.
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He disclosed that a medical worker at the FMC Owo, lost his wife to the disease at the weekend, saying “the number of the patients had been increasing every day.”
He attributed the increase in recorded cases of the diseases in the state, to lack of awareness on the diseases while he said there was no sensitisation programme on how to prevent the deadly disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, who confirmed the outbreak said the issue is being addressed by government officials.
“I am currently at the governor’s office and we are having a meeting.
“That (Lassa fever outbreak ) is what we trying to address now. We are working on the report available and the next line of action. That is why I am in the governor’s office.
“There will be a pronouncement after the meeting.”
and then