A total of nine people have lost their lives in Ondo State after being infected with Lassa fever. The deaths occurred in 8 local government areas in the state according to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. during a state broadcast over the weekend.
The Governor announced that in the face of the epidemic about 127 hospital contacts and 308 community contacts were listed in all the local government areas affected by the disease while noting that thirty of those contacts had completed their follow up.
Akeredolu said the administration was making efforts to curtail the disease from spreading to other areas in the state. This was to be achieved by the revamping of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team at state and local government levels with surveillance to monitor any new suspected cases of Lassa fever outbreak as well as awareness campaigns about the nature of the disease.
“Publicity is also ongoing through radio jingles. radio and television discussions in our media houses. Information, Education and Communication materials such as handbills, flyers and posters have been produced and these are being distributed.” said the governor.
Logistical support such as vehicles have been provided by the Ondo state government for transporting patients and blood samples to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospitals, Irrua, Edo state. Also, there has been an expansion of the Infectious Disease Isolation Unit at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, Ondo state.
At the time of this development, patients have been admitted at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo while tests for infection are being conducted at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital at Irrua in Edo State.