Kogi govt confirms three cases of lassa fever

The Kogi State Government, on Tuesday, confirmed three reported cases of Lassa in the State.

The Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on health matters, Abu Jibril Okikiri disclosed that the outbreak is in Ibaji Local Government Area of the State.

He said the affected persons are already receiving treatment at Irua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.

Okikiri noted that the State epidemiological unit, in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Health, has taken a proactive step to prevent escalation of the disease in the Local Government.

“As at today, cases of Lassa fever recorded in Ibaji LGA that is currently on care at Iruah Specialist Teaching Hospital are just three. However, it is an outbreak because it is a notifiable disease,” he averred.

Reports state that the outbreak caused panic in the Local Government as there is no functional hospital to take care of the patients.

Meanwhile, contrary to the position of the Kogi State Government, a source in Ibaji Local Government, who didn’t want his name mentioned, claimed that over 20 patients are suffering from Lassa fever and are currently taking treatment at Iruah Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.