No fewer than 15 persons have died following the outbreak of suspected hemorrhagic fever in Ute Okpu and Idumesa communities in the Ika North East LGA of Delta, the government has said.
It said the outcome of the samples collected by the Ministry of Health will give a clear indication of the disease and determine the next line of actions
Delta Health Commissioner, Dr Mordi Ononye who spoke in Ute Okpu, Ika North-East LGA, said the state government has constituted a team to unravel the mysterious disease that has claimed over 15 persons within 18 to 25years in the past two weeks.
Ononye said: “Delta State Government has received information on seemingly mysterious deaths in Ute Okpu and Idumesa communities of Ika North East Local Government Area of the State which prompted the Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, to direct the State Ministry of Health to immediately investigate these deaths, identify the cause/causes and effect containment measures”.
Ononye said Okowa has given a directive to upgrade the Comprehensive Health Centre in Ute-Okpu to full-fledged hospital.
He called on members of the community and residents of the State to observe good hygiene as the dry season approaches by properly covering their food, cutting grasses around their surroundings, eliminate rats and continue to observe the COVID-19 safety guidelines especially hand washing with soap and running water.
Delta Epidemiologist, Dr Richard Ikwuogu, said his office sent officers to the community immediately it received information, stating the active case search that commenced the previous day continues.
He added his team has visited the families of affected persons in the community and collected their samples of cases as well as interview them.
Ikwogu said though there was suspicion of viral hemorrhagic fever or substance abuse, the outcome of the test on collected samples will give clear information on the disease and determine the next line of actions.
