The Edo State Government announced that they found eight possible cases of cholera in the area.
Dr. Ojeifo Stephenson, who is the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, spoke to reporters about this on Wednesday in Benin City.
Dr. Stephenson shared that these eight suspected cases are part of the 16 patients who were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
He said, “Last Thursday, we got an alert that some patients with possible cholera were at the hospital. In response, we quickly teamed up with the WHO (World Health Organization), went to the hospital to check on the patients, and decided what needed to be done quickly.”
He explained that all 16 patients got a test called the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). Eight of the patients tested negative, but the other eight tested positive.
“We have taken samples from the eight who tested positive and sent them to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for a final check. Until those results come back positive, we cannot confirm these are cholera cases,” he added.
Dr. Stephenson had some good news, saying, “From Thursday till now, all of the patients have been released from UBTH except for one who is still in the ward.”
He asked people not to worry and assured them that the government, with help from WHO staff, is managing the situation well.
He also mentioned that everyone affected is being closely watched, as well as the people they have been in contact with.
The Director of Public Health noted that a surveillance system is in place to trace contacts and keep track of the cases. They have found out who the patients were in contact with and have informed the community about what the patients did before they got sick.
Dr. Stephenson advised the public to keep their surroundings clean and to report any suspected cases to the nearest hospital immediately.
He also shared a concerning update about Lassa fever in the state. Since the start of this year, 36 people have died from the disease in Edo State. Out of 2,300 suspected cases, 226 have been confirmed as Lassa fever.
Dr. Stephenson said that the state government is working hard to get rid of the rats that cause Lassa fever to make Edo State free from this disease.