Strange illness kills 17 in Benue LG

At least 17 people have died from an outbreak of strange illness in Okpeilo-Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The state’s Ministry of Health and Human Service raised the alarm on Tuesday in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Sir Andrew Amee on behalf of the Commissioner.

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Amee stated, “we have received a report of an unknown illness in a community called Okpeilo-Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

“At the time of the receipt of the report yesterday, 9th November, 2020, about 17 persons were already said to have died of the illness.

“We currently have one case which was brought to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi by a relative of the patient. Others are receiving treatment in different hospitals.”

He stated that symptoms of the illness usually include fever, abdominal pain and general body weakness, while some stool and vomit with tinges of blood.

He added that the state government now aware of the outbreak has responded swiftly to facilitate investigation to establish the cause of the illness.

Amee further disclosed that Governor Samuel Ortom has approved funds to enable the state Ministry of Health and Human Services carry out the investigation.

The permanent secretary in the meantime advised the people of Ogbadibo and its environs to maintain good hygiene practices and report anyone with the said symptoms to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in the local government area, or call the Benue Emergency Operations Centre.