The Edo State Government has confirmed that there is an outbreak of dengue fever in the state. So far, 86 cases have been reported.
At the same time, the state is also dealing with an outbreak of Lassa fever. Since the start of the year, there have been 137 confirmed cases and 24 people have died from it.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, shared this information during a press briefing in Benin City. He said an Emergency Operations Centre has been set up to help stop the spread of dengue fever.
He also said that Dr Stephenson Ojiefoh, the Director of Public Health, has been chosen to lead the team handling the response.
Dr Oshiomhole explained that 86 dengue fever cases have been recorded so far. The state government is taking steps such as monitoring, treating cases, controlling mosquitoes, and improving sanitation in affected areas.
He said dengue fever is a virus spread by Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti. It spreads quickly in places with standing water and poor hygiene.
The commissioner asked people to keep their surroundings clean, get rid of mosquito breeding places, cover water containers, use insect repellent, and sleep under mosquito nets.
He also reported that there were two confirmed cases of yellow fever, with one death. Eight cases of monkeypox have also been found, but no one has died from it.
Additionally, there have been eight confirmed diphtheria cases, and three people have died from the disease.
Dr Oshiomhole assured the public that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration will continue to focus on public health and will work hard until all these disease outbreaks are controlled.
