Delta State Government Confirms Lassa Fever Outbreak in Four Local Government Areas

Delta State Government has recently confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in four local government areas: Okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ndokwa East.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, made the announcement while addressing the press in Asaba, the state capital.

The government has reported four confirmed cases of Lassa fever so far, prompting the establishment of Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) across the state to monitor the situation and provide regular updates to residents.

Dr. Onojaeme emphasized the importance of keeping the environment clean and preventing rats from breeding in or around homes to mitigate the spread of the disease.

The state is also focusing on advocacy and health worker education, ensuring they have a high index of suspicion when identifying potential cases.

In addition, residents are encouraged to seek medical attention from qualified personnel if they experience symptoms, as not all fever cases are due to malaria.

Dr. Mildred Igumbor, the state epidemiologist, stressed that prevention and control measures must be in place at health facilities to manage confirmed cases effectively.

The isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, built by the state government, has the capacity to handle such cases, with the option of transferring patients to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State if necessary.

The Delta State Government is working closely with Irrua Specialist Hospital to receive Lassa fever test results within 24 hours, significantly reducing the usual 72-hour waiting period.

With a fatality rate of 50%, the government is determined to prevent the transmission of the disease from patients to health workers and relatives.

Overall, the Delta State Government is taking proactive measures to address the Lassa fever outbreak, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean environment and seeking medical attention for suspected cases.