Health institutions in Benue State are currently on alert following outbreak of Lassa fever in neighbouring states.
Director of Public Health in Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr Jonathan Terna Kur, told our correspondent on Tuesday in an interview that all hands are on deck to ensure the state is not taken unawares.
Kur said, though, Benue has not recorded any case of Lassa fever since the outbreak in some states of the federation, the ministry has however ensured that all necessary measures are in place to deal with the dreaded disease in the event it occurs.
He said blood sample taken recently from one suspected case to Irua facility in Edo State for confirmation turned out negative, adding that health workers across the state have been adequately trained and equipped to handle any emergency that may arise.
While the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), according to the Health Director has been provided with immediate support as well as treatment amenities to contain the scourge if need be.
Kur however allayed the fears of residents in the state, saying, there were no need to panic as adequate arrangement had been made to combat any eventuality even as he urged people to report suspected case of strange fevers to the health facilities nearest to them for proper scrutiny.
He noted that in the meantime, the ministry has engaged in wide radio and television sensitisation in the state so as to create awareness among the people about Lassa fever and for them to also avoid habits that could expose them to contracting the disease.
Our correspondent reports that, there had been confirmed cases of Lassa fever in Benue’s neighbouring states such as; Ebonyi, Kogi and Nasarawa in the past few days.
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