Lassa Fever: WHO officials visit Edo Health Commissioner

Edo State Commissioner for Health Prof Obehi Akoria has assured that the government would leave no stone unturned as it collaborates with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partner agencies in their joint efforts to curtail the upsurge of Lassa Fever in the state.

  The Commissioner spoke while receiving the WHO Coordinator for the South South Dr. Kolude Olufunmilola and her Edo State counterpart, Dr. Eyo Nora in her office in Benin City earlier today

Briefing the visitors,  Prof. Obehi said the government has stepped up surveillance, sensitization, and other measures across the state’s 18 local councils to stop the spread of the disease and has also taken necessary measures to protect residents across all Edo communities.

She described the rise in the number of infections, now up to 40 cases, as unprecedented, saying the state would continue to work with all partner agencies and would require the cooperation of all Edo residents to control and eliminate the disease in the state.  

Speaking, the zonal coordinator of WHO South – South Zone, Dr. Kolude Olufunmilola, who is a public health physician, appreciated the Edo State government’s efforts so far and pledged the support of WHO in the ongoing efforts to control the disease.

Specifically, she told the Commissioner that WHO would continue to collaborate with the state in the active case search for Lassa fever and the needed awareness campaign to stop further spread of the disease.