The number of Lassa fever cases in Edo State has increased by seven more cases, bringing the state’s total number of confirmed cases to 132.
According to Prof. Akoria Obehi, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, who made this announcement while briefing journalists in Benin City, said the state also recorded two additional deaths from the illness, bringing the total number of fatalities to 16.
She stated that the majority of deaths recorded in the state are people who were ill but did not seek care at a proper hospital until they developed complications. In order to receive proper care, she urged residents to “take responsibility to work with the ministry of health, observe preventive measures and report early symptoms suspected to be malaria or any other illnesses that present like malaria.”
According to Prof. Obehi, the new deaths were confirmed in Esan West and Esan North East, while the seven new cases were reported from three local government councils in the state, including Esan West, Etsako West, and Esan North East.
She said, “With seven new cases confirmed in three local councils in the state, we have continued to experience a steady rise in the number of confirmed cases and deaths from Lassa fever. There are currently 132 confirmed cases in all, and the disease has claimed 16 lives.
Others are Etsako East, 4; Esan Central, 3; Ovia North East, 3; Esan South East, 2; Owan East, 2; Akoko Edo, 2; Oredo, 2 and Etsako Central, 2.
Reassuring the public of the government’s commitment to containing the disease and protecting residents, and that they are currently receiving medical attention and are responding to treatment, she added that about 40 person, including 28 adults and 14 children who were confirmed to have the disease, were still on admission at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).