The Kwara State Government says two cases of yellow fever have been confirmed in Oke-owa community in Ifelodun local government area of the state. The confirmation was given by the state commissioner for health, Dr. Suleiman Atolagbe Alege in Ilorin on Monday evening. According to him, the two cases were confirmed among the from 38 blood samples taken from the village and analysed at a laboratory in Lagos.
The Commissioner further noted that the 38 blood samples were also sent to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control(NCDC) which also authenticated the earlier two confirmed cases of Yellow fever.
He said following this development, the State Epidemiology Team has commenced investigation in the affected area and neighbouring communities including Okere, Babanla, Oro-Ago, Gaa Olokuta, Gaa Babadu, Oke-ode, among other communities.
Alege added that officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF have been deployed to work with the State Ministry of Health in carrying out immunization and sensitization in the communities.
He said that the health officials will be on ground for the next 15 days and appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, health workers and other relevant stakeholders within Ifelodun local government area to give them the necessary support throughout their stay.
The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain calm, assuring that the matter will be properly handled to prevent further spread. He added that the State Ministry of Health will continue to sensitise and educate the people of Kwara State.
