Contrary to speculations that the strange disease which has claimed more than 15 lives in two communities in Delta State may not be far from Covid-19 or Lassa fever, NewsNet learnt on Friday morning that the deaths according to dependable sources who do not want their names mentioned are from Yellow fever.
The Delta State government had on Sunday expressed concern over the mysterious deaths of not less than 15 lives in the last two weeks in Ute Okpu and Idumuesah communities in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye who led a team of public health officials to the two communities assured the residents that government would do everything possible to curb the disease.
NewsNet investigation however revealed that laboratory results from samples obtained from the affected communities proved that the deaths were from Yellow fever.
A source disclosed that the development had pitched the youths of Idumuesah in particular against the elders resulting in near physical combat.
Another source said, “Those who are praying as Christians are doing so while others are consulting the gods to find a solution to the mysterious deaths”.
The state government is expected any moment to issue an official statement on the outcome of the investigation to identify the cause or causes and effective containment measures.