Lagos State Government, has confirmed that the blood samples of
victims of the epidemic of febrile rash illness that claimed the lives of over
20 children in Otodo Gbame community in Eto-Osa Local Government Area of the
state showed measles virus. Giving an update at a briefing in Lagos, the state
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said all the blood samples taken to
the Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba, tested positive for IgM, a blood
marker for recent infection with measles virus. He added that four throat swaps
and one blood samples investigated at the virology
reference
laboratory, LUTH, indicated the presence of measles virus through polymerase
chain reaction, PCR, technique. He attributed the epidemic to poor
environmental sanitation, lack of potable water in the area and missed
immunisation in the area.
According to him, the result of the water samples
analysed at the Drug Quality Control Laboratory yielded several pathogens, an
indication that the well water is not safe for human consumption. To this end,
the ministry will today dispatch another combined team of experts from the
ministries of Environment, Health and other relevant agencies to conduct proper
assessment of the environment.
“Right now, awareness and community sensitization is
ongoing. Active case search is also ongoing. “Members of the public and health
workers are to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility or
call 08037170614, 08055281442 and 08023169485.”
source> Vanguard Newspaper
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