From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta Correspondent)
Delta State Government said Yellow Fever was responsible for the cause of strange disease that has killed over 30 persons in Ute-Okpu and Idumesa in Ika North East LGA.
Briefing journalists on Friday in Asaba, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye said preliminary investigations revealed Yellow Fever was responsible for the strange deaths of youths between aged 18 and 26 in the area.
He said, “the state government is ensuring that it does not escalate and I can assure you that there is no cause for alarm. We are carrying out awareness campaigns for effective containment.
“As at today, we have seven active cases while samples for further analysis have been sent to Regional Laboratory for Center for Disease Control in Darka, Senegal. But, we can confirmed it to be cases of Fellow Fever.
Over 30 persons had lost their lives as a result of the strange disease from Ute-Okpu, Idumusa and Ute Erunu community.
But, Dr. Ononye while breifing journalists, said government recorded 22 deaths and seven active cases.
According to him, “the test we carried out came out positive for yellow fever while further test has been sent to a laboratory in Dakah, Senegal for confirmatory test.
The Health Commissioner flanked by commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said that the confirmatory test would take about four weeks to come out while assuring Deltans that the Health team was on top of the situation.
“Samples were collected from patients and sent to laboratory, but we await final authentication from Dakah.
He urged residents of Delta State under the age bracket of 9 months and 44 years to go for immunization to prevent the deadly disease.
The Commissioner said that vomiting, mouth and nose bleeding, headache, feverish condition, body pains among others were symptoms displayed by the patients.
