An ecologist extracts a sample of blood from a Mastomys Natalensis rodent in the village of Jormu in southeastern Sierra Leone February 8, 2011. Lassa fever, named after the Nigerian town where it was first identified in 1969, is among a U.S. list of "category A" diseases -- deemed to have the potential for major public health impact -- alongside anthrax and botulism. The disease is carried by the Mastomys Natalensis rodent, found across sub-Saharan Africa and often eaten as a source of protein. It infects an estimated 300,000-500,000 people each year, and kills about 5,000. Picture taken February 8, 2011. To match Reuters-Feature BIOTERROR-AFRICA/ REUTERS/Simon Akam (SIERRA LEONE - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ANIMALS) - GM1E72F07HC01
The Benue Government says the state has recorded 11 confirmed cases of lassa fever and four deaths.
Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Monday.
Oguwche said that over 60 suspected cases of the virus were reported in the state so far.
He said that the government was doing all it could to ensure that the virus did not spread beyond control.
He said that the government had on Feb. 3, declared the outbreak of the virus in the state.
“Lassa fever update from our dashboard shows that we have 68 suspected cases, 11 confirmed, three on admission. Out of the 11 cases four died and four are health workers,” he said.
He urged the public to always observe basic hygiene habits and live in a clean environment.
On the state of the general hospitals in the state, Ogwuche said that they were manned by qualified doctors but regretted that the state was yet to attain the recommended ratio of the number of patients per doctor.
“Since this administration came on board, a lot of positive changes have being made, especially in terms of manpower development in our health facilities.
“The Teaching Hospital has undergone a lot of transformation accompanied by massive recruitment of workers. Also in our primary Health care facilities, recruitments have been done and its still ongoing.
“The Cancer Centre is ongoing but if you look at the details of how these things work to ordinary person, it looks stalled. I have taken a tour of the hospital and seen where they are.
“The building need to be customised to the equipment that are coming. So it is beyond what you are seeing. These equipment need to be ordered. It will take months to be delivered but I assure you that the project is dear to the governor.
“The wife of the President, Sen. Remi Tinubu is also interested in it. It is at her instance that the cancer center is coming.
“Having a cancer center close to us will do us a lot of good with what people are passing through with cancer,” he said
Oguwche also urged the public to avoid overcrowded and Poorly ventilated environments in order to guard against meningitis.
He said that the government was currently carrying out massive public health enlightenment on meningitis and lassa fever outbreak in the state.
“They were in churches yesterday to speak to some congregation on what they can do to avoid contacting these contagious diseases,” he said. (NAN)
