The Oyo State Government on Friday confirmed five cases of Lassa fever, with one death, assuring residents that response measures have been activated to contain the outbreak.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Ibadan, stating that the confirmed cases are being managed at designated isolation and treatment facilities, including the state Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital isolation unit.
“The State Government wishes to confirm five cases of Lassa fever outbreak, with one death. The government promptly activated its emergency response framework, initiating a coordinated multi-sectoral intervention in line with national guidelines from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and global standards set by the World Health Organisation,” she said.
Ajetunmobi noted that the government had activated the Incident Management System and Emergency Operations Centre, alongside the establishment of a multi-sectoral response team comprising officials from the health, environment, agriculture, and information sectors.
According to her, surveillance has been intensified, including active case search and monitoring of over 200 identified contacts. Isolation centres have been operationalised, while essential drugs, including Ribavirin, have been prepositioned.
Infection prevention and control measures have also been strengthened, with the provision of personal protective equipment and implementation of safe burial protocols. Environmental sanitation, fumigation, and decontamination of affected areas are ongoing, while healthcare workers are undergoing continuous training.
The commissioner urged residents to adhere strictly to preventive measures, including proper food storage, maintaining clean environments, avoiding contact with rodents, and seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, said environmental health officers had been deployed to sensitise residents and ensure compliance with safety standards. A representative of the Chief Medical Director of UCH commended the state government’s swift response, describing it as comprehensive and effective.
