Strange disease that killed 2 in Edo identified as Yellow Fever

A strange disease that was responsible for the death of no less than 2 people in some communities in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo state has been identified as yellow fever, Punch Metro reports.

Recall that the strange disease was reported to have broken out in Igiduman, Ehor and other villages in the council area.

The state government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said that the governor directed the ministry of health to curtail the spread after two died having exhibited symptoms like vomiting, high fever and stomach pain.

Osagie noted:

“The governor is disturbed by the development and has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, to deploy experts in the ministry to the communities affected by the disease.’’

He added that the governor promised to disburse more resources to support the ministry of health to enable it establish the cause of the illness and death of two persons in the area.

The statement further indicated that Osifo dismissed claims of a strange disease in Edo State, stating that there was no such thing in the state.

The statement added:

“We have identified yellowness of eyes and related symptoms, which led to the conclusion that the illness is yellow fever. We are on top of the situation and will curb the spread of the disease as directed by the governor.

“We have deployed a team of experts to the communities and the result of the initial tests showed symptoms of yellow fever. They tested negative to Lassa Fever. We are doing contact tracing and sensitising people in the communities to clean up their environment.”