By Dayo Johnson

Akure—ONDO State government yesterday confirmed five cases of Lassa fever in the state.

Two of the cases were reported in Akoko South West and three in Owo council areas of the state.

One of the cases was reported in Achiever University in Owo, where a female student was diagnosed with the symptoms but had since stabilised and discharged from the Federal Medical Center, Owo.

Lassa-fever

Confirming the outbreak, the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr Taye Oni, said the state has  stepped up surveillance in addition to other proactive measures.

Dr Oni said that the latest Lassa fever occurrence was coming at unusual time and areas that had never recorded any case before.

He advised the people to properly store their foods especially grains as well as give priority to personal and environmental hygiene at this critical time.

‘’To stem the tide and nip the epidemic in the board,’’ according to him; ‘’the State is collaborating with the Irua Specialist Hospital, Edo state, Federal Medical Center Owo and the National Centre for Infectious Disease Control, among others.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the Achievers University have sent the students home on a three-week mid semester break, following the reported case in the school.

Also, the government said that reported cases have been isolated and under surveillance.

In a statement last night,  to allay the fears of the people, government affirmed her determination  to fight the scourge to a standstill.

lt also appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state to prevent spread of the disease.