Seventeen persons in Okpeilo-Otukpa communities in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, have died of a strange illness, Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Dr Emmanuel Ikwulono, said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, symptoms of the illness usually include fever, abdominal pain, and general body weakness, while some stool and vomit with tinges of blood.,
He said, “At the time of the receipt of the report yesterday, 9th November, 2020, about 17 persons were already said to have died of the illness.
“We currently have one case which was brought to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi by a relative of the patient. Others are receiving treatment in different hospitals.”
The commissioner said the State Govrnment has responded swiftly to facilitate an investigation to establish the cause of the illness.
“His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom, has approved funds to enable the State Ministry of Health and Human Services to carry out the investigation.
“In the meantime, we advise the people of Ogbadibo and its environs to maintain good hygiene practices and report anyone with the said symptoms to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in the local government area, or call the Benue Emergency Operations Centre,” he said.
