An outbreak of febrile rash illnesses (FRI) has been recorded in Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State,leaving at least 20 kids dead.
Thirty-four other cases are currently under examination, Health Commissioner Jide Idris announced yesterday.
The outbreak was first identified by the Medical Officer of Health of the LGA on the 9th February, he said.
The victims are said to be within the age range of eight and 72 months.
Dr Idris said his ministry has already notified the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the situation.
It has also constituted a team of Epidemiologists to investigate the outbreak and institute appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
But he said although the disease causing the outbreak is yet to be confirmed, “the signs and symptoms are suggestive of Febrile Rash Illnesses.”
He added: “Blood samples (and throat swabs) from the patients and water samples from the community have been taken to the Virology Reference Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH, Ikeja respectively. The source of the infection is still under investigation.”
-The Nation
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Reviewed by Tboixy
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February 21, 2016
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