LAGOS (Sundiata Post) – Following the outbreak of Febrile Rash Illnesses (FRI) at Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa LGA of Lagos which led to the death of 20 children out of the 34 cases reported, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed that the State Government will collaborate with key stakeholders in the community to ensure success of any health program in the community.
Dr. Idris noted that the ministry would select three more community informants to collaborate with the Local Government and State Surveillance team for prompt disease reporting, of which two of the informants would be from the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in the community as it is observed that many people in the community patronize TBAs regularly.
Making this known to Sundiata Post, Dr. Idris noted that the State Government is presently intensifying efforts to conduct mapping of all slums and blighted areas in the State towards reducing the health hazards associated with such areas.
Giving an account of the outbreak, Dr. Idris stated that the state ministry of health was notified of the outbreak of a fatal febrile rash illnesses in Otodo Gbame community in Eti-Osa LGA, by the Medical Officer of Health of the LGA on 9th February,2016.
Dr. Idris revealed that the ministry notified the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and immediately constituted a team of Epidemiologists to investigate the outbreak and institute appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
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According to the commissioner “The ministry drew up an investigation plan to investigate the outbreak, verify reported deaths and report findings and recommendations. The fatality of the outbreak was also confirmed as the graves of 20 children who died from the FRI since the day of onset of signs and symptoms in the first case on 6th January 2016, were identified by their parents.
“The disease causing the outbreak is yet to be confirmed. However, the signs and symptoms are suggestive of Febrile Rash Illnesses. Blood samples (and throat swabs) from the patients and water samples from the community have been taken to the Virology Reference Laboratory at LUTH and Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH, Ikeja respectively. The source of the infection is still under investigation.”
Thirty-four cases have been line listed so far with 17 males and 17 females. Seventeen dead patients have been identified with nine males and eight females. All are within the age range of 8-72 months.
interventions instituted by the state to control the disease and prevent further spread and avert additional deaths include Intensive awareness creation and community mobilization and health education which is ongoing through meetings and community dialogues.
Currently, there is continuous health education of the community on immunisation, measles and personal and environmental hygiene. The Ministry of Health is following up on suspected children who are undergoing treatment to monitor recovery and intervene with further medical attention if required.
Seven cases were already followed up as at 15th February,2016. Six had recovered while one who was still ill was immediately taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Ikate for further medical attention.
The Commissioner for Health however emphasised the need to practice health promotion and disease prevention measures such as basic environmental sanitation, including proper disposal of refuse, avoiding open defecation etc; regular hand washing with soap and water; maintaining personal hygiene; Immunisation of children against deadly vaccine preventable childhood diseases to name a few.
Dr. Idris pointed out the need for regular check-ups towards ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Otodo Gbame community is an expansive, sandy riverine, flood prone and camp-lie settlements with an estimated population of 100,000 people. The people are mainly Egun, however there are other tribes in the minority. The community is a slum with waste deposited at different spots. There are many scattered shallow wells in the community.
The water from the wells is found to be used mostly for bathing, washing and cooking. Majority of the citizen claimed it is not used for drinking but a few said they sometimes drink from the well. The community head Chief Hunpe Dansu confirmed the outbreak of the Febrile Rash Ilnesses.