Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Enugu State Government has confirmed the spread of Yellow Fever in three Local Government Areas of the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Emmanuel Obi, who listed the LGAs as Nsukka, Isi-Uzo and Igbo-Etiti, said the state government has received reports of strange deaths within the communities.
The Commissioner also disclosed the ministry’s response in handling the disease in the affected communities.
“Following the confirmed cases of Yellow Fever in Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State and the concerted efforts to control the situation in the LGA by the Enugu State Government, Stakeholders and Partners; Federal and International, reports have also been received of “strange deaths” within communities in Nsukka, Isi-Uzo and Igbo-Etiti LGAs,” the statement partly read.
“The Enugu State Ministry of Health Rapid Response Team, LGA Rapid Response Teams, International and National Partners have also visited these LGAs to investigate the reports and take samples for testing just as was done for the reports at Igboeze North.
“The new set of samples from these LGAs have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja for a thorough and complete examination to determine conclusively the reasons for these new set of reports and the results are expected back early this week.”
While commiserating with families that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate development, Obi reminded residents of the state that “Yellow Fever is transmitted through mosquito bites.”
File photo of Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
He advised that people should keep their environment clean and remove mosquito breeding sites around their homes.
“Yellow Fever Vaccination is not for treatment of Yellow Fever, it is for prevention of Yellow Fever. If you have been recently vaccinated against Yellow Fever, you do not need to be vaccinated again.
“It takes 10 days or more for Yellow fever vaccine to start working after you have received it. If you or your loved one are not feeling well, please visit or take your loved one to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Trained Health Workers can recognize most of the diseases of public health importance and know what to do,” he added.
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