In an effort to better control the disease and guarantee the health of the populace, the Edo State Government has stepped up surveillance and response operations for Lassa fever across the state’s 18 local councils.
Prof. Obehi Akoria, the commissioner for health in Edo State, said this while addressing journalists in Benin City, the state’s capital.
She asserted that the state has intensified operations such as contact tracing and listing, response coordination, case management, and risk communication as part of its commitment to halting the disease’s spread throughout all areas in the state.
She stated, “We are paying close attention to monitoring efforts since they are essential for early case detection, which is crucial for enhancing the government’s response to the disease. With a robust surveillance system, we can quickly identify cases through active case search, investigate them, and list relevant contacts to ensure sample collection and testing as required. By doing this, we can stop the disease’s spread and safeguard our population.
She also advised people to notify the disease surveillance or notification officials in their local government areas if they have come into touch with someone who has been diagnosed with Lassa fever or suspect any symptoms of Lassa fever or any other priority disease.in order to support the government’s efforts to contain the disease.
The disease surveillance or notification officers’ contacts include: Akoko Edo 07034420077; Egor 08078750376; Esan Central 09074513116; Esan North East 08034897353; Esan South East 07035389297; Esan West 07016618702; Etsako Central 07035411607 and Etsako East 09026339245.
Others are Etsako West 08060443793; Igueben 08135041727; Ikpoba Okha 08074431217; Oredo 09052887778; Orhionmwon 07032436654; Ovia North East 08036859629; Ovia South West 08130989877; Owan East 07031295391; Owan East 08135649368, and Uhunmwode 08057861900.
The Commissioner noted that the State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer can be reached on 08060593802, while the State Epidemiologist can be contacted on 08064258163.
She said, “While the government continues to step up its efforts to limit the disease and safeguard residents, we ask everyone to abide by all preventive guidelines and seek the closest medical facility if they observe any signs or symptoms of Lassa fever; avoid self-medication.
We also expect that medical professionals take common sense safety measures and always have a high level of skepticism. All suspected cases of malaria must undergo the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), and if the results are negative, other causes of febrile illness, such as Lassa fever, should be taken into account. The likelihood of survival is increased by prompt treatment and accurate diagnosis.