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Lassa Fever: RSG Monitors 100 Persons …Takes Delivery Of Vaccines

Chairman, NUPPPPROW, RSNC chapter, Comrade Abraham Amesi (right), making a speech, during the union’s end of year party in Port Harcourt, recently. With him are General Manager, RSNC, Mr Celestine Ogolo (2nd right), Chairman, Editoral Board, The Tide Newspapers, Mr Dagogo Clinton (middle), member NUPPPPROW, Mr Obioma Nwachuku (2nd left) and Comrade Sunny Nyobana. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
Authorities of the Rivers State Ministry of Health yesterday took delivery of vaccines to forestall further outbreak of Lassa fever, which claimed the lives of a mother and her week-old baby in Tai Local Government Area of the State last week.
The Tide was reliably informed by sources in the State Ministry of Health that the vaccines were the outcome of collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.
The vaccines it was learnt will be administered to those with symptoms of the deadly virus as the Ministry has begun intense sensitisation of the public on the need to be vigilant of the disease which is communicable through contacts with infected persons.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme while addressing medical doctors in the Ministry yesterday charged them to be alert, stressing the need for them to pay attention to precautionary measures since they are at risk than other people..
He assured them that the State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike has provided support such that drugs and other personal protective equipment had been taken delivery to check further spread of the epidemic.
Dr. Odagme while urging residents in the state not to panic said government was on top of the situation and is doing all in its powers to check the epidemic, further calling on them to report to any nearest hospital or health care centre any sign or symptom of the disease in their neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, about 100 persons are now under close monitoring following their contact with mother and child who had died of Lassa fever.
The Tide gathered that the Ministry of Health had swung into action after it was learnt that they had made contact during the late child naming ceremony.
The trace conducted so far has put 100 persons under close watch, though not quarantined yet.
They are expected to be under watch for two weeks after which they would be declared free, since the deadly virus incubates and begins to manifest within 14 days according to research.
Members of the public are expected to watch out for symptoms which include persistent fever, stooling, vomiting and bleeding from the nose, mouth and anus and is usually transmitted by rats through their feaces and urine in foods and other consumables.