Edo State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, gave an update about the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state. He said there are 137 confirmed cases and 24 people have died from the disease.
He also said there are two confirmed cases of Yellow Fever with one death, eight confirmed cases of Monkeypox (also called Npox) with no deaths, and eight confirmed cases of Diphtheria, which has led to three deaths.
In addition, Dr. Oshiomhole said that 86 cases of Dengue Fever have been reported in different parts of the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City, he assured the public that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s government is doing everything possible to protect the health of the people and will keep working until the disease outbreaks are under control.
He also announced that Dr. Stephenson Ojiefoh, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, has been appointed as the incident manager to lead the state’s response to the outbreaks.
He said the Emergency Operation Center has been activated, and the Ministry is starting a statewide plan to control the diseases. This includes checking for cases, treating patients, controlling mosquitoes and other carriers, and improving sanitation in affected areas. He urged all health workers to be alert and report any suspected cases quickly.
Dr. Oshiomhole explained that Dengue Fever is caused by a virus that spreads through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti. He said the disease spreads fast in dirty areas and places with still water, where mosquitoes breed.
To stop the spread, he advised people to keep their environment clean, cover water containers, use mosquito nets, apply insect repellent, and get rid of mosquito breeding spots.
At the briefing, there were also representatives from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the state’s Disease Surveillance Team, Ministry of Health Directors, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC), and other important partners.
