KOKO/Nigeria: In the wake of the recent upsurge in the outbreak of the Lassa fever virus in some states in the country, three cases of nose bleeding have been detected in Koko community, Warri North Local Government Area.
Since nose bleeding stands as one of the symptoms associated with the Lassa fever, the Primary Health Centre in Koko, is yet to confirm if these patients have contracted the Lassa virus.
One of the senior nurses at the centre, Mrs Clementina Boyo, who spoke to our correspondent, said the first case was detected in December last year, but had to officially record the last case, when the last patient visited the centre last week.
She stated that the said patient; Miss Anointed Umukoro, 16 years old, revealed that she had earlier treated malaria, but noticed later on, that blood continued dripping from her nose, which is said to have lasted for a week.
She emphasised saying: “These case are strange, I thought they were reacting to something, but with the outbreak of the Lassa fever virus, we are at the centre are very vigilant and that’s why I quickly placed Miss Umukoro on antibiotics.”
“She is on close observation. As we speak, our eyes are on ground, that’s why we have told residents in the area to visit the centre, rather than resort to self- medication,” Mrs Boyo further stated.
When contacted on the development, the Executive Secretary of Health, Warri North Local Government Council, Dr Emiko Ofuyaekpoye, stated the officer for disease control is already handling the issue.
He however disclosed that the LG is already on alert following the outbreak of the virus in some states, noting that, SOS will be sent to all the PHCs in area to be mindful of the information from the affected state, and take standard operational precautions so that LGA is not plagued by the scourge.
He commended the state government for the effort towards curtailing the spread of the virus in the state.
Dr. Ofuyaekpowe, called on all health educators in the LGA, to be up and doing as the solution towards curtailing the spread, requires serious health education of the public.
He added that it should not be left for the educators alone, since it can be tackled using multi-disciplinary approach involving people from different works of life.
The Medical Director, General Hospital, Koko, Dr Paul Umukoro, while speaking on ways of curtailing the spread, noted that proactive approach was key to dealing with the outbreak, but maintained that, the basic thing the hospital can do was to always intimate its staff on the recent happening, and also sensitize them on preventive measures.
