Seventy-six people tested positive for Lassa fever in the Edo State of Nigeria following the testing of 175 suspected cases in the state.
Edo State Health Commissioner Dr. Patrick Okundia announced the number on Friday, January 24, at a meeting of the Lassa Fever Committee headed by Edo State Vice Governor Philip Shaibu and a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Okundia explained that “a total of 76 suspected cases of Lassa fever were confirmed yesterday in the state, and they are currently being admitted to Irrua University Specialty Hospital.” He further explained that no death had been recorded for the period. “We have not recorded any new deaths, but we have also reduced our mortality rate to less than 10%.”
“The number of cases in the ward is now 34, and we have discharged over 28 patients who have been fully treated and cured,” the health commissioner explains.
Edo State Vice Governor Philip Shaibu, for his part, urged hospitals in all parts of the state to refer suspicious cases to the Irrua Specialty Hospitals and Isolation Centers.
He said that the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Education, Information and other relevant ministries should also intensify public awareness of the population. “The 18 municipalities in the state should request an emergency meeting that will be deprived of health practitioners for the implementation of the early referral.”
