Oyo State Government has taken drastic measures to combat the spread of Lassa fever.
The Commissioner for Health Dr Bode Ladipo disclosed this in a statement released on Monday.
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He said that a surveillance system has been set up in the entire state to control the transmission.
Dr Ladipo also said the disease killed some residents in the Oke Ogun area of the state.
He said in the statement that the deaths were associated with the following symptoms:
The statement read:
“The attention of the ministry was drawn to reported cases of deaths at Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
“The deaths were said to have been associated with fever, gastrointestinal symptoms and some neck swelling.
“This warranted a high-level investigating team led by the Honourable Commissioner for Health to visit the LGA on Thursday, January 13, 2022, to assess the situation and provide the necessary support to abate any further transmission of the illness.
“The team comprised of senior officials of the ministry, the State Primary Healthcare Board and the World Health Organisation.”
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The statement revealed that there were more cases in the Fulani settlement area in Iwere ward LGA. It further said that two deaths were recorded at the General Hospital at Iwere Ile.
It continued:
“An initial visit to the State General Hospital at Iwere lle revealed the fact that there was an increase in the number of cases brought from the Gaa Agbaruru settlement with confirmation of two deaths at the facility.
“The team was then led to Gaa Agbaruru, a Fulani settlement in Iwere ward of the LGA were the victims of the illness came from.
“It was observed that there were cases with symptoms mentioned above but were recuperating.
“It was also confirmed that there was indeed a high degree of contact between the inhabitants, rodents and bats.
“In addition, the challenge of having potable water was noted.
“Blood samples were taken from the recuperating individuals with samples of water also taken. These samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Haemorrhagic Fever in Abuja for analysis and confirmation.
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“The result of the investigation from the Reference Laboratory was received today, January 17, 2022, with two of the 10 samples testing positive for Lassa fever.
“As such, the ministry has repositioned doses of antiviral agents for the treatment of the Lassa fever cases and personal protective devices for the health care providers at Iwere lle and Iganna. Health education and environmental sanitation are presently ongoing in the communities.
“The state surveillance system has been augmented across all local governments in the state.
“Suspected cases are to be referred to the nearest Government Hospital for free and quality care.”
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
