Yellow fever: ‘Strange deaths’ spread to three Enugu LGAs

The Enugu state government has confirmed reports of strange deaths in three local government areas.

Ikechukwu Obi, the state commissioner for health, said in a statement that it is not yet confirmed whether the deaths are linked to Yellow fever as previous cases.

TheCable had reported strange deaths in Igbo Eze north local government area in Enugu, which health authorities later confirmed to be as a result of a Yellow fever outbreak.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) later confirmed that a similar outbreak in Delta and Bauchi has led to 76 deaths in total.

Obi said on Sunday the state government received reports of some deaths with no known cause in two more LGAs, and that it is awaiting test results of samples taken.

He said: “Following the confirmed cases of Yellow Fever in Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State and the concerted efforts to control the situation in the LGA by the State Government, Stakeholders and Partners; Federal and International, reports have also been received of ‘strange deaths’ within communities in Nsukka, Isi-Uzo and Igbo-Etiti LGAs.

“The Enugu State Ministry of Health Rapid Response Team, LGA Rapid Response Teams, International and National Partners have also visited these LGAs to investigate the reports and take samples for testing just as was done for the reports at Igboeze North.

“The new set of samples from these LGAs have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja for a thorough and complete examination to determine conclusively the reasons for these new set of reports and the results are expected back early this week.”

He asked residents to take necessary precautions against Yellow fever, adding that those who have been recently vaccinated do not need to do so again.

“It takes 10 days or more for Yellow fever vaccine to start working after you have received it,” he said, adding: “If you or your loved one are not feeling well, please visit or take your loved one to a nearby hospital for treatment.”