Oyo State government has called on residents of the state to remain calm over the reported cases of Lassa Fever in Iwajowa Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Ladipo, made this known in a statement issued by the ministry and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the Ministry was drawn to reported cases of deaths at Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State on Wednesday, 12th January, 2022. The deaths were said to have been associated with fever, gastrointestinal symptoms and some neck swelling.
“This warranted a high-level investigating team led by the Honourable Commissioner for Health to visit the LGA on Thursday, 13th January, 2022 to assess the situation and provide necessary support to abate any further transmission of the illness.
“The team comprised of senior officials of the Ministry, the State Primary Healthcare Board and the World Health Organization (WHO)
“An initial visit to the State General Hospital at Iwere lle revealed the fact that there was an increase in number of cases brought from the Gaa Agbaruru settlement with confirmation of two (2) deaths at the facility. The team was then led to Gaa Agbaruru, a Fulani settlement in Iwere ward of the LGA where victims of the illness came from.
“It was observed that there were cases with symptoms mentioned above but were recuperating. It was also confirmed that there was indeed high degree of contact between the inhabitants, rodents and bats. In addition, the challenge of having potable water was noted.
“Blood samples were taken from the recuperating individuals with sample of water also taken. These samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Haemorrhagic Fever in Abuja for analysis and confirmation”.
Dr Ladipo noted that the state government was doing everything possible to check further spread of the virus.
He said, government had already set up surveillance system across Local governments in the state to abate further transmission of the virus.
According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Health has repositioned doses of antiviral agents for treatment of the reported cases, while personal protective devices have been provided for health workers at Iwere Ile and Iganna.
Dr Ladipo therefore, enjoined the general public to refer similar cases to the nearest government hospitals for free and quality care.
He advised them to also call the following numbers: 09058704101,08025245800 and 08073431342 for prompt medical attention.
Iyabo Adebisi
pub-5160901092443552
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