The newly appointed commissioner for health in Delta State, Mordi Ononye, has confirmed seven cases of Lassa fever and three deaths since the re-emergence of outbreak of the disease in the state on January 26 this year.
Ononye said the three deaths included two persons from Anambra State and one from Delta State, as part of measures to contain the spread of the disease in the state, 24 persons had been so far placed under surveillance while active case search and contact tracing were ongoing.
In the statement made available to BusinessDay in Asaba, Monye assured “residents of the state not to panic as the Ministry of Health through its Rapid Response Team was on top of the situation and has been coordinating the state’s response to contain the spread of the disease.”
Among efforts so far put in place to contain the spread of the disease were the use of the ministry’s ambulance to convey patients to Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State, and thereafter disinfect same, procured some Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), which have been distributed to health facilities across the state including the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, he said.
He further disclosed that sensitisation of health workers in the state to have a high index of suspicion and take preventive measures when managing infectious cases was ongoing. He said that the ministry in collaboration with the State Primary Health Development Agency was creating awareness through the various mass media so that the general public can refresh their memories on how the disease is transmitted and take preventive measures to forestall its spread.
Monye disclosed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja has been contacted, adding that “the centre is collaborating with the state in this regard”.
While thanking the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa for the support given to the ministry to enable it curtail the spread of the disease in the state, Monye advised the general public to report any suspected case to the nearest health facility or call 07037120510 or 08168741415.
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