Osun govt dispels speculations of lassa fever outbreak

The Osun State government yesterday dispelled speculations of outbreak of lassa fever in the state.

Mr Sola Fasure, media aide to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, said in a statement issued in Osogbo that a patient who died at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, as a result of the fever, was not from the state.

“A patient from Ore, in Ondo State, with symptoms of lassa fever, went to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in IleIfe, for treatment and was immediately transferred to OAUTH, where he regrettably died due to the advanced nature of the illness. We must note however that the victim was not a native of Osun, and did not contact lassa fever in the state”, he said.

Fasure said the clarification became necessary to put a stop to speculations on the social media that ‘lassa fever had claimed two lives in the state’.

He urged people of the state, not to panic, assuring that the government had put in place surveillance teams in all the local government areas to monitor and check outbreak of the disease.

He also urged residents of the state to be watchful of visitors who might be exhibiting symptoms of the disease, advising that such cases should be reported at the nearest health centre in the state.

“Residents are required to be vigilant, maintain the highest hygiene standard possible, avoid contact with those infected and report illnesses and deaths emanating from the disease to hospitals and government health centres. (NAN)