Malaria outbreak causes panic in OAU

There is panic among some students Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Sunday as malaria fever hit some of their colleagues.

Reports of strange virus went vital on the social media on Sunday but our correspondent, who visited the OAU Health Centre learnt that although the number of students who had malaria had increased, the situation was not as alarming as it was painted.

Our correspondent observed that some sick students brought to the health facility were treated and discharged. Some of the students were seen vomiting but the situation was immediately brought under control as doctors and other medical personnel on duty attended to them. 

Some of them who spoke to our correspondent complained of head ache, pains and feverish feelings.

There was a large crowd at the centre but it was later discovered that about 90 per cent of those present brought the few sick students to the health centre.

But while some of the sick students and their friends were fretting at the health centre, some students were busy watching a football match at a hostel close to the centre.

The Director of the OAU Health Centre, Dr. Adedayo Irinoye, who was also at the centre told journalists that there was no strange virus but malaria triggered by exams tension and heat due to the climate change.

He said although there was a slight increase in the number of students falling sick but there was no cause for alarm.

SOURCE: PUNCH