Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi has said on Sunday that the Southsouth state added one more fatality from Lassa fever, bringing the total to 13.
She also confirmed eight more cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 115.
Obehi told reporters in Benin that that Godwin Obaseki administration was stepping up efforts to contain the disease across all communities in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
She urged residents to complement the government’s efforts by complying with all laid down protocols against the spread of Lassa fever.
Obehi said: “We have confirmed eight new cases of Lassa fever in Edo State, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 115. With the new figures, we now have 40 persons, including 26 adults and 14 children, who are currently receiving care at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital”.
She also stated that the state was adequately prepared and equipped to handle reported cases of Lassa fever.
“If you experience symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, and high fever, among others, you must quickly rush to the nearest health care centre close to you to report”, she further said.
The commissioner charged residents of the state to reach out to the Disease Surveillance and Notification officers within their LGAs, if they had been in contact with someone confirmed to have Lassa fever or suspect any symptoms of Lassa fever or any other priority disease.
Obehi said that Edo Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer could be reached on 08060593802, while the state’s Epidemiologist could also be contacted on 08064258163.
