No fewer than 17 people have died while several others are reportedly battling for their lives after a strange illness suddenly hit Okpeilo-Otukpa community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Service, Andrew Amee, in a statement on behalf of  his commissioner,  Dr. Emmanuel Ikwulono said at the time the ministry received the report about the strange illness, it had killed about 17 persons leaving many in critical conditions at different hospitals.


 
“We have received a report of an unknown illness in a community called Okpeilo-Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. At the time of the receipt of the report yesterday, November 9, 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,” he said.

He listed symptoms of the illness to include fever, abdominal pain, general body weakness, passing of stools and vomiting of blood.

Amee said Governor Samuel Ortom had approved funds to enable the Ministry of Health and Human Services  launch an investigation into the matter.


“In the meantime, we advise the people of Ogbadibo and its environs to maintain good hygiene practices and report anyone with  symptoms to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in the local government area or call the Benue Emergency Operations Centre.”