James Sowole in Akure
The Ondo State Government wednesday confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the Owo/Ose in Owo and Ose Local Governments Areas of the state while two other suspected cases are under investigation.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, who confirmed the case of the dreaded disease in Akure, the state capital, said the surveillance and containment machinery of government had been stepped up to prevent a spread of the disease.
The disclosure of the health commissioner came during a briefing of journalists after a meeting with senior health officials and development partners which deliberated on the Lassa fever case.
The commissioner also supervised the distribution of more Information Education Communication (IEC) materials on Lassa fever to health centers across the state.
Adeyanju said the government swung into action on Lassa fever, following the reported cases of the disease in Delta, Anambra and Edo States which coincidentally share border with Ondo State.
He said the government activated its disease surveillance and notification structures with a view to detecting any case on time as well as deploy appropriate measures to contain the spread.
“This strategy has paid off which is why the confirmed case and the two suspected cases were detected on time and the patients transferred to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State for treatment,” he said.
The commissioner said government has equally briefed concerned health officials, and development partners their roles in getting rid of the disease in the state as soon as possible.
He said five people who had contact with the patients are under surveillance.
However, the commissioner called for calm as appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the state is safe from Lassa fever.
Also speaking, the state Coordinator of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Akinola Fatiregun, commended the government for its proactive disposition to disease outbreak containment and commitment to the well being of the people.
The WHO coordinator promised that the organisation would partner government to contain Lassa fever in the state.
