About seventeen persons have been confirmed dead while others are
hospitalized at different hospitals as strange illness has dealt blow to the people of Okpella-Otukpo in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Benue State Ministry of Health and Human
Services in a statement sent to DAILY
POST and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Sir Andrew Amee confirmed the development, saying that a case was also
brought to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi by a relative of
the patient on Monday, 9th November.
Part of the statement reads: “Others are
receiving treatment in different hospitals.
“Symptoms of the strange illness usually
include fever, abdominal pain and general body weakness, while some stool and vomit with tinges of blood.
“The State Government is aware of the
outbreak and has responded swiftly to
facilitate investigation to establish the cause of the illness.”
Governor Samuel Ortom in response to the
situation approved funds to enable the
State Ministry of Health and Human Services to carry out an investigation.
The government further advised the,
“people of Ogbadibo and its environs to
maintain good hygiene practices and report anyone with the said symptoms to the Disease Surveillance and Notification
Officers in the local government area, or
call the Benue Emergency Operations Centre of the following toll free telephone
numbers: 09010999920, 09010999919.
Whatsapp, SMS on: 08123135458,” the
statement added.
