The Delta State Government has expressed concern over mysterious deaths which has claimed not less than 15 lives within the last two weeks in Ute Okpu and Idumesa communities in Delta State, with the health ministry assuring residents that Government would do everything possible to curb the unexplained deaths.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye who led a team of public health officials to Ute Okpu in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state over the mysterious deaths said, “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, while informing HRM, the Obi of Ute Okpu, of the governor’s directive to upgrade the Comprehensive Health Centre in Ute -Okpu to a full-fledged Hospital; called on members of the community and residents of the state to observe good hygiene measures as the dry season approaches – by properly covering their food, cutting grasses around their surroundings, eliminating rodents and observing COVID-19 protocols.
An epidemiologist in the state ministry of health, Dr. Richard Ikwuogu said that as soon the deaths were recorded in quick succession, health officials were deployed to the community to investigate the incidents.
He added that a team of health personnel has visited the families of the affected persons and has collected samples from patients suspected to be afflicted with the disease.
The epidemiologist also said the state ministry of health suspects viral hemorrhagic fever or drug intoxication as the cause of the deaths. He however stated that the result of the laboratory analysis on the samples will provide information on the disease and the next line of action .
The Obi of Ute Okpu, HRM Solomon Chukwukah 1, commended Governor Okowa for upgrading the health centre in the community to a full-fledged hospital.
He said, the state government’s intervention to ascertain the root cause of the problem has brought hope to the community, and assured of the community’s full cooperation in the efforts to curb spread of the disease.