The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, says four cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed in the state.
He made this known while briefing newsmen on the status of the outbreak of the disease in the state and urged residents to keep their environment clean always.
Onojaeme said, “In week 12, we have four confirmed cases so far recorded with a fatality rate of 50% though the general fatality rate for Lassa fever is 1 – 15%.
“So, we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that we curtail the transmission from patient to health workers and from patients to relatives.”
The commissioner said that the state government was doing a lot of advocacy and sensitization of residents to having a high index of suspicion when they see those cases.
He revealed that the affected local government areas where the cases were recorded are Okpe, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ndokwa East.
“Emergency Operation Centers have been set up across the State to monitor the situation and ensure residents are aware of what is going on.”
He said the State Government was working with Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State and was able to achieve less than 24 hours of getting test results for Lassa fever as against the 72-hour range.
