The Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State has been hit by Lassa fever with three patients reportedly dead.
Also no fewer than 20 patients are currently being treated at the Iruah Teaching Hospital in neighbouring Edo State.
The situation has reportedly caused panic in the local government area where there is no functional hospital to take care of the disease resulting in their transfer to Iruah.
Besides, the local government, like many others, lack access roads to Idah, the traditional headquarters of Igala kingdom and headquarters of the bigger area where Ibaji was carved out from.
Apart from the epidemic, the people are highly exposed to various diseases ocassioned by degradation and general poor sanitation of the area, deserted even by some local government and state officials who stay in neighbouring states and areas.
However, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Abu Okikiri, said, “As of today, the cases of Lassa fever recorded for Ibaji LGA currently in care at Iruah Specialist Teaching Hospital are just three. However, it is an outbreak.”
A source from the local government area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the number of people affected who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital was more than the figure the governor’s adviser disclosed.
ALSO READ:C/River, Kogi Record Highest All Items Inflation y/y For March As CPI Moves To 15.9%
A former Chairman, Ibaji Local Government Council, David Ogwu, and one-time member, Kogi State House of Assembly, said, “It is real that there is an incidence of Lassa fever in Aya and neighbouring communities in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State.
“The first incident is that about four persons fell ill and died mysteriously without anybody diagnosing the disease or cause of death. After that, others who manifested similar symptoms were taken to Iruah Specialist Hospital, in Edo State.
He said about nine persons had been diagnosed with the disease in Iruah.
