Barely few days the Enugu State Government confirmed that the strange disease that claimed over 50 persons in Ette and Umuopu communities in Igboeze North Local Government of the State is yellow fever, the ailment has spread to neighbouring Nsukka, Isi-Uzo and Igboetiti local government areas of the state.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, made available to newsmen in Enugu n Monday, stated: “Following the confirmed cases of Yellow Fever in Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State and the concerted efforts to control the situation in the LGA by the Enugu State Government, Stakeholders and Partners; Federal and International, reports have also been received of “strange deaths” within communities in Nsukka, Isi-Uzo and Igbo-Etiti LGAs”
Dr Obi further stated “the Ministry of Health Rapid Response Team, LGA Rapid Response Teams, International and National Partners have also visited these LGAs to investigate the reports and take samples for testing just as was done for the reports at Igboeze North”
His words:
“The new set of samples from these LGAs have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja for a thorough and complete examination to determine conclusively the reasons for these new set of reports and the results are expected back early this week.
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“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones in these times, and we recommend that all adhere to the following Public Health Advisory:
“Yellow Fever is transmitted through mosquito bites, thus remove mosquito breeding sites around your environment
Yellow Fever Vaccination is not for treatment of Yellow Fever, it is for prevention of Yellow Fever
If you have been recently vaccinated against Yellow Fever, you do not need to be vaccinated again
“It takes 10 days or more for Yellow fever vaccine to start working after you have received it
If you or your loved one are not feeling well, please visit or take your loved one to a nearby hospital for treatment
Trained Health Workers can recognize most of the diseases of public health importance and know what to do
“Once more we thank our Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, President Generals of town Unions, other stakeholders and the good people of Enugu State who have in so many ways continued to contribute to this expedited response to the Yellow Fever epidemic in Enugu State.
