An outbreak of Lassa fever has been reported in Ondo State, with one person dead and nine others down with the virus.
It was gathered that the epidemic occurred in Ose, Owo and Akoko South-West Local Government Areas of the state.
Akoko South-West was said to have recorded four cases of the disease while six were from Owo and Ose.
Sources told DAILY POST that some of the infected persons were receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo.
Others with critical conditions were said to have been referred to Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo state.
A medical doctor with FMC, Owo, who did not want his name mentioned, confirmed the outbreak, saying four persons from the same family were brought to the hospital from Oka-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
He added that some patients were also rushed to the centre from Owo and Ose Local Government Areas.
The medical expert, who said one of the patients died on Monday morning, disclosed that staff of the health facility were now working under the fear of contracting the virus.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Liasu Ahmed, confirmed the outbreak but declined to give further details.
Liasu said it was the prerogative of the Ondo state government to release details on the lassa fever outbreak.
“There are ways of reporting medical cases. When we have cases like this one, the state government is in the best position to inform the public,” he said.
As at the time of filing this report, the state commissioner for health, Wahab Adegbenro, could not be reached on phone to comment on the development as he was said to be attending the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.
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