Delta state has recorded four cases of the Lassa fever with two people dead and the others recovering. The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, stated this in Asaba when he granted audience to journalists on the status of outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
“In week 12, we have four confirmed cases so far recorded with a fatality rate of 50 percent, though the general fatality rate for Lassa fever is 1 – 15 percent. So we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we curtail the transmission from patient to health workers and from patients to relatives,” the commissioner said.
The commissioner said the affected areas are okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ndokwa East, noting that Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) have been set up across the state to monitor the situation and ensure residents are aware of what is going on.
Onojaeme said that the Delta State government is working closely with Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo Sate, and has been able to achieve less than 24 hours of getting test results on Lassa fever as against what was commonly obtainable, which was with the range of 72 hours.
Meanwhile, the state epidemiologist, Dr. Mildred Igumbor, said by definition one case of Lassa fever is an outbreak hence all hands should be on deck to ensure the elimination of the disease.
She explained that Lassa fever can spread through contact with the fecal matter or urine of rats on foods.
“To ensure prevention control measures are in place in our health facilities, health workers must have a very index of suspicion. We are telling everyone that not all fever cases are malaria cases so if you are sick please go to any nearest health facility or qualified medical personnel to seek medical attention. So if you get there and the health personnel have a high level of suspicion you will be tested and with the result received such patient will be properly managed,” she said.
Dr. Igumbor said the Isolation Centre in Federal Medical Centre Asaba, built by the Delta State government has the capacity for isolation and management of confirmed cases and if need be for referrals they would be transferred to Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State.
