claimed several lives in the state to the desecration of a shrine.
The outbreak of the disease in the ancient town of Ode-Irele which is
the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State has
thrown residents into deep mourning.
It broke out in the town few days ago and it has claimed the lives of
about 20 people.
In the ancient town, young women and girls were seen on Saturday
fetching water and dipping a particular leaf in it and also pouring
water in a shrine in the town.
According to the traditional beliefs of the people the ailment might
have emerged after some miscreants broke into the shrine few days
back. The water and leaf are aimed at appeasing the gods.
Traditional priests in the town, Isaac Akingboye and Akinmola
Adegbenro, believe that a traditional god called Malokun had some days
ago entered the town, which led to the strange ailment and deaths.
More Devastating Than Ebola
Addressing reporters on the strange disease on Saturday, the Ondo
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo adeyanju, said that the state
government had, after it got news of the ailment, deployed a team of
health experts to the community to examine the victims and put the
spread under control.
He said "the ailment starts with headache, blindness and eventually
leads to death within few hours it attacks its victims".
The Primary Health Coordinator of the Local Government, Dr. Segun
Ayodele and the Caretaker Chairman of the local Government, Dele
Olatunji also gave further insight on the ailment that had not been
identified by medical experts.
The people of Ode-Irele are hopeful that a quick and lasting solution
would be given to the strange and deadly disease which they say is
more devastating than Ebola.
While the Doctors are carrying out research to find out the cause of
the disease, the traditionalists are appeasing the gods for solutions
they believe could come from there.
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