LASG COMMENCES ACTION PLAN TO CURB OUTBREAK OF FEBRILE RASH DISEASE

Lagos State Government has commenced action plans and initiates measures to curb and eradicate the recent outbreak of Febrile Rash disease commonly known as Measles at Otodo Gbame Community in the Etiosa Local Government Area of the State.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who stated this at a press conference organised by the Ministry recently, said part of the measures include the notification of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and World Health Organisation (WHO) and the constitution
of a team of epidemiologists and other experts to investigate the outbreak, verify reported deaths and institute appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

He noted that 20 children between the ages of Nine months and 6 years had died from the outbreak, while 34 others were line listed and managed in the State Health facilities, stressing that the results of laboratory investigation have confirmed Measles Virus as the cause of
the disease and death.

The Commissioner highlighted other intervention programmes to curb the spread of the disease to include intensive sensitization and community mobilization programme on health education, active house to house search for suspected cases, immunization of 587 eligible children with
measles vaccine and the management and monitoring of the 34 hospitalised cases.

While declaring that the epidemic has been put under control as no new case of infection and death has been recorded since commencement of the intervention programme by the Ministry, Idris affirmed that all the 34 cases line listed and managed by the government health workers
have fully recovered, adding however, that intensive surveillance and community sensitization programme continues.

He implored the citizenry to continue to practice health promotion and disease prevention measures such as basic environmental sanitation, proper disposal of refuse, avoiding open defecation, regular hand washing with soap and running water, personal hygiene, adequate
nutrition, antenatal care for pregnant women, regular immunization of children against deadly and preventable childhood diseases and regular check-ups towards ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

The Commissioner assured all residents of the commitment of the present administration to protect, promote, preserve and prolong the lives of her Citizens through healthy living and called on each member of the public as well as health workers to report any strange illness to the
nearest health facility or call the following dedicated lines: 08037170614, 08055281442 and 08023169485.

Source: Lagos State Govt.