DEATH TOLL FROM MYSTERIOUS DISEASE IN ENUGU RISES TO 57
About 57 persons have died at Ette and Umuopu communities in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State following the outbreak of a mysterious disease in the State.
Vincent Oshomi, the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer in the council area, who confirmed the development, said the cause of the strange deaths is unknown.
He however stated that the State’s Ministry of Health is aware of the situation and samples of the victims in the communities have been collected for diagnosis and examination.
Oshomi revealed that the disease broke out on at the beginning of September, at Ette community, and has spread to other communities within the State.
“Between September and now, at least 37 persons have died at Ette community. Also, Umuopu community, which shares a common border with Ette have recorded 20 deaths, four of which happened yesterday. It has been a strange development.
“I have officially informed the state’s Ministry of Health and investigations are currently ongoing to unravel the cause of the deaths. We have collected samples of affected persons and we are looking out for Lassa fever, cholera, yellow fever and meningitis. Coronavirus test will equally start in the affected communities today.”
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The state’s Ministry of Health has brought an ambulance we are using to convey the sick ones to Enugu for proper diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
A statement by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Obi, said the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the Ministry visited the affected communities for on-the-spot investigation.
The Commissioner revealed the deaths are from an illness with symptoms suggestive of a disease of public health importance.
He said the deaths were recorded from three communities; Umuokpu, Ete and Ogwurugwu and victims were mostly youths, who usually reported weakness, fever and headache before passing on.
Dr Obi sated that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been informed, explaining that the NCDC is collaborating with the Enugu State Ministry of Health at the LGA to investigate and control the disease.
He assured the public that the ministry was on top of the situation and would keep them up to speed on the matter.
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