Edo State Government on Tuesday confirmed 15 deaths from the over 1000 cases of Lassa Fever it recorded in the latest outbreak of the disease.
The Government also confirmed 11 suspected cases of Mpox, five of which were positive.
The Director of Public Health of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Stephenson Ojeifo, disclosed this in Benin.
247nextnews.com reports that the State Government announced 13 deaths from the hemorrhagic disease in the month of February this year.
Ojeifo said: “As at today, Edo State has recorded over 1000 cases of Lassa Fever in the State, from these cases we have recorded 103 positive cases.
“From the 103 positive cases, we have recorded 15 deaths; while other have been treated and discharged.”
He,however, added that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has put up strong surveillance and contact tracing system and has supported with everything needed to contain the outbreak of the disease.
According to Ojeifo, mortality rate results from late referral or presentation of patients at the treatment centre.
He noted that patients were referred to ISTH only when the condition is already very bad, which, he said the State Government has been sensitizing the people on the need to visit the hospital when they have persistence fever that is not resolving so that sample can be taken for test and treatment if positive.
“If positive, the patient should move to Irrua Teaching Specialist Hospital for treatment because everything to manage the patient is available there,” he assured.
He added that the State did not record any mortality in Mpox because the patients presented themselves early for treatment.
