Enugu State has intensified action at checking emergence and spread of Yellow Fever 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 Enugu 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, Dr Obi disclosed.
He said that 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 being expected back early this week.
The Commissioner expressed the government’s heartfelt condolences to all those who had lost loved ones in these times, recommend that all adhere to the following Public Health Advisory:
Dr Obi explained that, “Yellow Fever is transmitted through mosquito bites, thus remove mosquito breeding sites around your environment”.
He stated further that”Yellow Fever Vaccination is not for treatment of Yellow Fever, it is for prevention of Yellow Fever” stressing that “If you have been recently vaccinated against Yellow Fever, you do not need to be vaccinated again”.
In his words”It takes 10 days or more for Yellow fever vaccine to start working after you have received it so if you or your loved one are not feeling well, please visit or take your loved one to a nearby hospital for treatment”.
Trained Health Workers, the Commissioner insisted can recognize most of the diseases of public health importance and know what to do.
The Commissioner once more we thanked the Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, President Generals of town Unions, other stakeholders and the good people of Enugu State who have in so many ways continued to contribute to this expedited response to the Yellow Fever epidemic in Enugu State.