Asaba – Delta State Government has identified yellow fever as the cause of the deaths of about 30 persons in Ute Okpu, Idumesa and other communities in Ika North- East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye told journalists in Asaba on Friday that results from samples of those who died showed yellow fever as the cause of their deaths.
To the Commissioner, 22 deaths have been recorded while seven active cases identified in the State as at November 6, 2020.
According to him, identifying the cause of deaths gave the Government a sense of direction as it has began immediate outbreak responsibilities by intimating concerned stakeholders for effective outbreak response.
To this end, he said samples have been sent to the Regional Laboratory in Dakar, Senegal for final confirmation, saying, “we are expecting the results back within one month”.
He said the state government had directed an immediate yellow fever vaccination to prevent the spread of the ailment.
” The vaccination will start from the local government where we first recorded a case. We are up to the task to ensure everything is done to ensure the outbreak does not escalate beyond this” he noted.
Director General of Delta State Orientation Bureau, Eugene Uzom maintained that the his Agency will begin immediate sensitization of people about the outbreak of the disease.
