13 people under observation in Delta

The Delta Government has said that only 13 out of the 55 people that had contact with the doctor who died of Lassa fever in the state are still under observation.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, in a statement on Firday in Asaba, said the 13 people would be closely monitored for one more week.

Ukah said that 32 people out of the 55 have been declared free of the disease.

“Sensitisation and advocacy to local government areas, Primary Health Care Centres, schools, market places, among others will be intensified to achieve the desired result,” he said

Ukah also said that the state government approved the contract for the construction of a major link road to the agrarian communities of Issele-Uku/Onicha-Uku/Ugbodu/Nkwu-Nzu/Obomkpa/Idumu-Ogo roads in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

He disclosed that the first phase of the project would be the completion of the 6.65km length from Idumu-Ogo to Obomkpa.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, had on Aug. 22 confirmed the outbreak of lassa fever, which claimed one person and 32 others placed on close surveillance.

Azinge said the ministry’s surveillance cover all those who had contacts with the deceased doctor and the number rose to 55 over the period.