The Lassa fever outbreak in Ondo State has spread to two other Local Government Areas in the state, with five more death recorded within 24 hours.
The affected local government areas included Owo, Ose, Akoko SouthWest, Akure south, and Ondo West, while over 100 people are currently lying critically ill at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owo.
According to a source, who disclosed that over 30 people were confirmed to be on critical condition while he said some of the patients had been discharged.
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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However, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who in a statewide broadcast said “Sadly, within the few weeks of this year, several scores have been affected and some had died from the disease.
“We will like to use this opportunity to commiserate with families who have lost their loved ones, and we wish those who are on treatment a speedy recovery.”
However, confirming the outbreak, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Steven Fagbemi, while briefing the state governor Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and some local council chairmen from Ondo North and Central Senatorial Districts at the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital.
According to Fagbemi, who confirmed that 16 people died of the disease, and said that the cases of the victims had reached an advanced stage before they were referred to hospitals.
Fagbemi said about 47 patients are who are currently on admission are responding to treatment and said 21 persons had already been treated and discharged.
Also speaking, the leader of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, Dr Yahaya Disu, explained that the Lassa fever cases were recorded in Owo, Akoko South West, Akure South, and Ondo West Local Government Areas.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, who advised the people of the state to visit hospitals when they noticed fever symptoms.
Akeredolu urged the people of the state against the poor attitude to waste disposal “which leads to a sharp increase in the rat population in many affected communities.
“Bad and harmful food processing practices, such as sun-drying of garri and other products on the road, as well as other places which lead to their contamination by rat droppings.
“Reluctance of those affected to access health care in designated treatment centres, poor personal and domestic hygiene, bush burning by farmers which drive the rats to our homes, embalmment of corpses at home as well as other harmful cultural practices.”