05/03/24
ELIZA DD
The Benue State Ministry of Health says it has activated a State Muti-sectoral emergency operations centre following a risk assessment that that placed the State at very high risk of increased transmission within and beyond its borders.
State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Yanmar Ortese, who made this known at a press conference in Makurdi the state capital also revealed that the dreaded lassa fever outbreak has claimed a total of 13 people in 9 local government areas of Benue state.
According to him the State’s situation report of the current outbreak from November, 2023 to 2nd March, 2024 shows a total of 725 suspected cases, 55 confirmed cases.
The 9 local government areas in the State affected by the outbreak of the dreaded lassa fever in the past 5 months include Makurdi, Guma,Gwer East and West,Okpokwu,Obi,Ogbadibo,Otukpo and Ukum.
Of Particular concern is the outbreak in one of the internally displaced Persons Camps.
The State is equally grappling with an outbreak of measles.
Early detection of cases improves the chances of survival the ministry is therefore urging residents to look out for symptoms and seek medical attention promptly,practice good health hygiene and also avoid eating contaminated food.
The Ministry is also investigating about 354 case of Buruli Ulcer across 11 local government areas of the State and an update of the outcome will be given in due course.
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