Lassa fever: Edo restates commitment to stop upsurge

• As NCDC Response team visits state

Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria (right) and the Team Lead, NCDC- Rapid response team for Lassa fever, Dr. Bunmi Olopha during the visit.

Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria has reiterated government’s commitment to halt the current upsurge of Lassa fever in the state saying the ministry is maximizing its efforts to enlighten the public about the disease to prevent further spread.  

Receiving officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) – Lassa fever Response team, in her office earlier today in Benin City. Prof. Akoria said, the State Government is adequately prepared and fully equipped to handle reported cases of Lassa fever from affected Local Government Areas.

She however told the visitors that the state would welcome much needed support from partners to help fix some of the challenges, especially at the Lassa fever isolation centre at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).

“The facility has capable, experienced and committed healthcare professionals on ground to manage the wide range of clinical scenarios associated with Lassa fever,” she said, adding that the centre is neat and spacious with adequate measures put in place for infection prevention and control. Also, she said, the facility has good equipment, readily available to provide specialist care and to manage patients with co morbidities.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the State Government regularly provides Infection Prevention Control (IPC) commodities for care of patients at the Lassa fever isolation centre.

She said the ministry is working closely with healthcare providers and other stakeholders to ensure that those who are infected receive prompt and effective treatment. 

Earlier, the Team Lead, NCDC- Rapid response team for Lassa fever, Dr. Bunmi Olopha said they were deployed to Edo State to support the management and control of the upsurge.  She described Lassa fever as a threat to global security hence, the mandate of NCDC to protect the health of Nigerians.

Dr. Olopha told the Commissioner that the team would be in Edo State for two weeks in order to critically identify the gaps and areas needing support.