Lassa fever: 26 confirmed cases on admission in Edo

The Evangelist
January 12, 2023

Edo State has recorded three more cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed cases on admission to 26.

Addressing newsmen in Benin, Commissioner for Health, Obehi Akoria, who decried the rising cases of Lassa fever in the state, charged residents to observe preventive measures against the spread of Lassa fever to protect themselves and their loved ones from the disease.

Akoria said the confirmed persons, including 10 adult males and nine females, as well as seven children are currently receiving medical care at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).

“Edo State has continued to record a steady increase in the number of cases of lassa fever, with 26 persons currently on admission at ISTH. The 26 confirmed cases on admission which include seven children, 10 adult males, and nine adult females, are all stable and responding to treatment,” she said.

Reassuring the government’s commitment to ensuring the health and safety of Edo citizens, the commissioner said: “Lassa fever is preventable. Edo State no longer has the highest burden of Lassa fever in the country. This is proof that our interventions are working and that Lassa fever can be prevented.

“Lassa fever is a viral illness caused by the Lassa virus and is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats, or through direct contact with the blood, urine, semen, or breast milk of infected humans. The symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, malaise, weakness, muscle pain, chest pain, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhoea, as well as haemorrhage in severe cases.”

Akoria encouraged residents to avoid bush burning, indiscriminate waste disposal and maintain high standards of communal hygiene.

She further implored healthcare providers to desist from managing illnesses beyond their scope and to promptly refer such cases as early treatment is key to survival and containing spread.