BY Femi Owolabi
The Lagos state ministry of health says it is investigating the recent flu outbreak at Queen’s College.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Akin Abayomi, the commissioner for health, said an investigative team from the ministry has been sent to unravel the cause of the illness.
He said the team comprises officials from the state epidemiology team, primary health care services and environmental health department of Lagos Mainland local government area.
“The team has since visited Queen’s College and investigations are ongoing. Findings according to the review of health records in the school’s sick bay revealed that 89 students presented to the clinic with Influenza-like illnesses,” he said.
“As we await the comprehensive report of the investigation being conducted, I will like to appeal to the stakeholders of Queen’s College, other affected schools and residents of Lagos State to remain calm and ensure strict adherence to personal and environmental hygiene at all times.
“I assure you that the situation is under control and it seems to be subsiding. We will give necessary updates as the assessment and investigation progress.”
He said the preliminary reports from the investigations conducted by the team had identified what appears to be a sporadic increase in upper respiratory tract infections characterised by cough, catarrh, fever and weakness across some schools.
Ify Nwoye, public relations officer of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), had accused the school of not putting in a place a pre-resumption plan, but the commissioner said an inspection to other facilities in the school revealed that environmental sanitation and water supply are optimal but could be improved upon.
Abayomi also said samples would be collected from the pupils for confirmation of the cause of the illness.
He advised all schools in the state, either day or boarding, to adopt basic precautionary measures against diseases and illnesses by teaching and ensuring good hand washing practice.
“They should also equip school sickbays to be able to handle infections and other emergencies, with a clear report and escalation protocol,” he said.
The Old Girls Association of the school had earlier said 85 students were sent home as a result of the outbreak.
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