An outbreak of Lassa fever has claimed nine persons in Ondo State.
Besides, a total of 102 suspected cases of Lassa fever have been reported in eight local government areas of the state.
Of these, 36 of the 79 cases with laboratory results have been confirmed.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu disclosed these yesterday in a broadcast on Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
He said 127 hospital contacts and 308 community contacts have been line-listed in all the affected councils while 30 have completed their follow-up.
The governor revealed patients were being managed at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo while confirmatory tests took place at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.
To contain the outbreak, Akeredolu said an Emergency Preparedness and Response Team has been reactivated at the state and local government levels in addition to Active Surveillance and contact tracing in the affected council areas.
He added sensitisation and community mobilisation are going on in all the councils for traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, market women and other stakeholders.
According to the governor: “Publicity is also ongoing through radio jingles, radio and television discussions in our media houses.
“Information, Education and Communication materials such as handbills, flyers and posters have been produced and these are being distributed.”
He added vehicles have been dedicated for transportation of samples and referred patients to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospitals just as the Infectious Disease Isolation Unit at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo has been expanded through the support of his administration.
Akeredolu said some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) drugs and hospital beds were donated to FMC, Owo to support management of the patients.