Lassa fever: One dead as Oyo confirms 5 new cases

By Oluseye Ojo

The Oyo State Government has confirmed five cases of Lassa fever, with one fatality.

The development has triggered an immediate state-wide public health response to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this at a press briefing in Ibadan, yesterday.

She assured residents that confirmed cases are being treated at designated isolation centres, including the State Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, and the University College Hospital isolation unit, where strict containment and clinical protocols are in place.

Ajetunmobi explained that the government swiftly activated its emergency response framework in line with guidelines from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation, deploying a coordinated, multi-sectoral intervention.

She credited Governor Seyi Makinde for prompt approval of emergency funds, which enabled rapid operational response.

Ajetunmobi stated that key measures put in place include activation of the Incident Management System and Emergency Operations Centre, alongside a multi-sectoral response team spanning health, environment, agriculture, and information sectors.

She added that over 200 contacts are currently under surveillance, supported by real-time data tracking through the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).

Ajetunmobi said isolation centres have been strengthened, essential drugs, such as Ribavirin prepositioned, and infection prevention measures, including PPE usage and safe burial protocols, have been intensified.

She announced that environmental sanitation, fumigation, and healthcare worker training are on-going, while public sensitisation campaigns have been scaled up.

According to her, laboratory coordination has also been reinforced with the UCH Biorepository Clinical Virology Laboratory to ensure prompt diagnosis.

The commissioner urged residents to maintain hygiene, store food properly, avoid contact with rodents and infected persons, and seek immediate medical care for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding.

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Environment, Ademola Aderinto, said environmental health officers have been deployed for community sensitisation and enforcement, including monitoring food vendors.

Also, Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health. He advocated compliance with preventive directives.

Also speaking, UCH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Otegbeye, represented by Prof. Bukola Adesina, commended the government’s swift and robust intervention, noting it has significantly aided effective case management.

Residents have also been advised to remain calm but vigilant as authorities continue to monitor the situation.