17 killed, many hospitalised as strange virus hits in Benue community

Not less than 17 persons were reported to have died from strange illness ravaging Okpeilo-Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, TopNaija reports.

The state government in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Dr Emmanuel Ikwulono, said a case was reported at the State University Teaching Hospital on Monday.

The statement read, “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.”

Ikwulono, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Andrew Amee, said that symptoms of the illness usually included fever, abdominal pain and general body weakness, while some stool and vomit with tinges of blood.

“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 on the following toll free telephone numbers; 09010999920, 09010999919, Whatapp, SMS 08123135458.