Ute-Okpu and Idumuesah communities in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State have raised alarm over the death of 15 people in the past two weeks as a result of an unidentified illness.
The cause of the death is yet to be established but there is a suspicion of hemorrhagic fever or substance abuse with victims within the age bracket of 18 to 25 years.
The State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has however assured residents in the area that everything possible was being done to curb the disease.
He stated that health authorities have dispatched epidemiologists into the communities to diagnose and attend to the health hazard.
Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye gave the assurance on Sunday when he led a team of public health officials to Ute Okpu in Ika North-East Local Government Area with a mission to unravel the mysterious disease.
Expressing concern over the mysterious deaths, the State’s health authorities assured residents that government would do everything possible to curb the disease.
According to the Commissioner;
Delta State Government has received information on seemingly mysterious deaths in Ute Okpu and Idumesa communities of Ika North East Local Government Area of the State which prompted the Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, to direct the State Ministry of Health to immediately investigate these deaths, identify the cause/causes and effect containment measures.
Dr. Ononye also informed HRM Obi Solomon Chukwuka, the Obi of Ute Okpu, of the Governor’s directive to upgrade the Comprehensive Health Centre in Ute-Okpu to a full-fledged Hospital.
He called on members of the community and residents of the State to observe good hygiene as the dry season approaches by properly covering their food, cutting grasses around their surroundings, eliminate rats in their houses and continue to observe the COVID-19 safety guidelines especially handwashing with soap and running water.
On his part, Dr. Richard Ikwuogu, the State Epidemiologist said his office sent officers to the community immediately the information got to the Ministry of Health, stating that the active case search that commenced the previous day continues.
He added that his team has visited the families of the affected persons in the community and also the case in the hospital in Umunede where their samples were collected.
Dr. Ikwogu said though there is suspicion of viral hemorrhagic fever, or even drug intoxication, the outcome of the test on collected samples will give clear information on the disease and that will determine the next line of action.
The Obi of Ute Okpu while welcoming the Health Commissioner and his team to his palace, thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for giving the directive for the health center in his domain to be upgraded.
He expressed relief that government’s intervention through the visit has brought hope to them and assurance that the disease will be curbed.
The Obi assured the Commissioner and his team of the co-operation from him and his subjects and encouraged them to feel free and let him know of any challenge they may come across when interacting with residents of the community.
He prayed and wished them success as they carry our their investigations in the community.
