The Kwara State Government has debunked social media reports claiming a corps member died of Lassa fever at the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health’s Press Secretary, Saad Hamdalat, said an investigation by the state’s Rapid Response Team found no evidence of Lassa fever infection or transmission in the camp.
The probe was led by the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Kamaldeen Khadeejah, after a social media post on Sunday alleged a corps member had died from suspected Lassa fever at the camp.
“Findings from field investigations and a retrospective active case search revealed no evidence of Lassa fever infection or transmission within the NYSC camp. No suspected or confirmed cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were recorded among corps members or camp officials,” the statement read.
Khadeejah noted that surveillance has been intensified as a precaution. “Although the current public health risk is considered low, surveillance activities have been strengthened at the camp to ensure early detection and prompt response to any suspected illness,” she said.
The Rapid Response Team conducted supportive supervision at the camp clinic, reinforced infection prevention practices, and sensitized health workers and corps members on Lassa fever symptoms and preventive measures.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Onifade, clarified that the corps member in question had a pre-existing chronic illness. She was taken by her parent to an external health facility on February 1 and died outside the camp on February 7.
“No laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever has been reported to the Rapid Response Team as of the time of the investigation,” Onifade stated.
Environmental Health Officer, Adamu Kabiru, advised strengthening sanitation and rodent control, while Health Promotion Officer, Jubril Abdul Kareem, educated corps members on symptoms and prevention.
The government urged the public to disregard unverified reports and rely on official sources for information.
