Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Edo State Government is stepping up the campaign to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state, rallying the support and collaboration of all residents to curtail the disease and protect citizens across all Edo communities.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, while addressing journalists in Benin City, said the state has continued to witness a steady rise in the number of cases and death from the disease, urging residents to comply with all guidelines to contain the disease.
She noted that the state has now recorded 97 confirmed cases and nine deaths from 11 local government councils across the state, reassuring that the government is stepping up sensitization campaigns as well as surveillance and response activities, and taking other necessary steps to contain Lassa fever.
The commissioner said the affected local governments include Etsako West, Esan West, Esan North East, Esan Central, Esan South East, Etsako East, Owan East, Akoko Edo, Ovia North East, Oredo and Etsako Central.
Prof. Akoria urged, “all Edo residents to be aware and take responsibility to work with the Ministry of Health, observe preventive measures and report early symptoms suspected to be malaria or any other illnesses that present like malaria so as to complement the government’s efforts at containing the disease.
She further charged them to reach out to the disease surveillance or notification officers within their local government areas if they have been in contact with someone confirmed to have Lassa fever or suspect any symptoms of Lassa fever or any other priority disease.