LASSA FEVER HITS ONDO STATE
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu
There is a report of outbreak of Lassa fever presently in Ondo State with over 10 persons down with the virus.
The epidemic is said to have occurred in Ose and Owo local government areas of the state, while Akoko area has recorded four cases of Lassa fever which transmits to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodents urine or faeces.
Some of the infected persons were hospitalised at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, while others with critical conditions were referred to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo state for further treatment.
Confirming the outbreak of the epidemic, a medical doctor with FMC Owo, who did not want his name mentioned , said that a family of four people were brought to FMC from Oka-Akoko area while some patients were also rushed to the centre from Owo and Ose local government areas.
The Medical expert expressed displeasure that the Ondo state government was not showing enough commitment to curtail the outbreak of lassa fever in the areas, noting that health workers at FMC were now working under the fear of contracting the epidemic.
When contacted on telephone, the Chief Medical Director of FMC, Dr Liasu Ahmed who confirmed the outbreak however declined to give further details insisting that it was the prerogative of the Ondo state government to release details on the lassa fever outbreak.
As at the time of filing this report, the state commissioner for health, Dr Wahaab Adegbenro was yet to react to the development as he was said to be attending d state exco.
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