The Edo State Government said it has recorded no fewer than 13 deaths from the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state between December 2024 and February 2025.
Media Talk Africa reports that the state also recorded three confirmed cases of Monkey pox, Mpox, with no mortality.
The Director of Public Health in the State’s Ministry of Health, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo disclosed this weekend to newsmen in Benin City.
Ojeifo, said the state recorded 83 positive cases of Lassa Fever with 13 mortality so far.
He said the casualties were recorded in Etsako West, Esan West and Esan North- East local government Areas.
He said the local governments are the three epic local governments of the Lassa Fever in the state.
According to him, since the outbreak of the disease on December 30, 2024, in the state, we have over 378 suspected cases of Lassa fever.
“But, as at today, of that number 83 were confirmed positive for the disease with 13 mortality. Seven are still receiving treatment while others have been discharged.
“Lassa Fever presents symptoms like malaria until it gets to an advanced stage. So, we are sensitizing the community that when any one has a fever that is not resolved within 72 hours they should immediately seek medical treatment at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, ISTH,” he said.
The Director of Public Health, attributed the mortality to the late presentation of patients to the hospital for examination and treatment.
Ojeifo said to address the development, they are liaising with private hospitals in the state to ensure that referral is promptly brought to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital designated for the treatment of the disease.
He explained that officials of the ministry and that of the National Council for Disease Control, NCDC, in the state have visited the three local governments where the deaths were recorded for contact tracing.
He, however, called on the people not to self medicate but to report to the nearest hospital when they have symptoms like malaria.
Media Talk Africa recalls that between December 30, 2024 and January 24, 2025 when the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, declared the outbreak of the disease in the state, it recorded 56 confirmed positive cases with eight deaths
