A Benin Republic national, who allegedly crossed the border into Kwara State in Baruten Local Government Area, may have died of Lassa fever.
The immigrant, who is a woman, could be the first recorded case in Kwara State feared to have died. However, the Kwara State government revealed that some persons have been quarantined over suspected Lassa fever.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin, Raji Razaq, the state Health Commissioner, said the state had beefed up preparedness and capabilities against the dreaded Coronavirus, which is menacingly spreading across the globe.
According to him, Kwara State has, since the first confirmation of the virus in China last year, resolved to use all the resources available to it to ensure that COVID-19 is prevented in Kwara State.
Razaq disclosed that the state has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to prevent any outbreak of the disease, comprising various ministries and agencies of the state and the Federal Government, especially the Port Health Services and the Nigerian Immigration Services to ensure effective surveillance at all points of entry at the borders.
Debunking claims that the state had recorded some cases of Lassa fever; the commissioner insisted that “the cases so reported were in a neighbouring community in Benin Republic, which shares borders with Kwara’s Baruten Local Government.”
He says the pro activeness of the state included identifying and monitoring certain “16 persons suspected to have had some contacts with the four Beni noise who had come to work in Baruten Local Government Area, but later tested positive to Lassa fever, after they had returned to the Francophone country.”
“One of the four persons later died in Benin Republic. The 16 persons (who are Nigerians) are currently asymptomatic (not showing any signs of illness) and we are following upon them.
“All Kwarans should be calm and take necessary precautionary measures to protect them and others by ensuring regular and thorough washing of the hands with soap and running water, regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, staying at home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing,” he advised
Meanwhile, in response to the global threat, which the recent outbreak of Lassa fever and COVID-19 represents to the well-being of the nation, the management of the University of Ilorin has concluded arrangements to put in place a Disease Outbreak Response Team (UNILORIN DORT) to address the challenge.
A statement signed by Kolawole O.M (Prof), the Director of the institution’s Molecular Science and Biotechnology said that the UNILORIN DORT, which would be constituted by professionals from relevant fields and units would also work in affiliation with the Kwara State Epidemiology Unit and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control(NCDC).
The UNILORIN DORT will among other duties, carry-out preventive and diagnostic services to ensure that the infectious diseases are swiftly combated and eradicated from the society as part of the University’s contributions to human development.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
