Edo State Government has confirmed the outbreak of dengue fever, with 86 cases already recorded across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, who made this known at a press briefing in Benin City, revealed that the disease has claimed 28 lives.
While announcing that an Emergency Operations Centre had been activated to contain the spread of dengue fever, the health commissioner said the Director of Public Health in the state, Dr Stephenson Ojiefoh, had been appointed as the Incident Manager to lead the response effort.
Oshiomhole pointed out that Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, and spreads rapidly in areas with stagnant water and poor sanitation.
He called on residents of Edo State to keep their surroundings clean, destroy mosquito breeding sites, cover water containers, use insect repellents and sleep under mosquito nets.
Oshiomhole also disclosed that two cases of yellow fever had been confirmed with one death, while eight cases of monkeypox had been recorded with no fatality.
He further stated that eight cases of diphtheria were confirmed, resulting in three deaths.
Meanwhile, an outbreak of Lassa fever, has claimed 24 lives from 137 confirmed cases since the beginning of the year.
The Edo Health Commissioner gave an assurance that the admoinistration of Governor Monday Okpebholo would continue to prioritise public health and would not relent until all outbreaks are brought under control.
