Lassa Fever: Edo Records 10 New Cases

Edo State has recorded 10 more cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed persons in the state to 81, with eight deaths.

According to Professor Obehi Akora, the Edo State Commissioner for Health who spoke with journalists in Benin City, the 10 new cases were confirmed in five local councils in the state, Etsako West, Esan North East, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Etsako Central.

Obehi urged residents to complement the government’s efforts by complying with preventive protocols against the spread of the disease.

“We have continued to witness a steady rise in the number of confirmed cases and deaths from Lassa fever with ten new cases confirmed in five local councils in the state.

"We now have a total of 81 confirmed cases with eight deaths from the disease", she stated.

She said the 81 confirmed cases are spread across 11 local government areas in the state, including Etsako West, 33; Esan West, 19; Esan North East, 16, Esan Central, two and Esan South East with two confirmed cases.

Others include; Etsako East, two; Owan East, two; Akoko Edo, two; Ovia North East, one; Oredo, one, and Etsako Central LGA with one confirmed case.

Decrying the rising number of fatalities from the virus, the Commissioner said the state now has a case fatality rate of 10 per cent, adding that the eight deaths were recorded in four local councils in the state including Etsako West, four; Esan North East, two; Etsako East, one and Oredo with one death.

Akoria also urged residents to “take responsibility to work with the ministry of health, observe preventive measures and report early symptoms suspected to be malaria or any other illnesses that present like malaria".