The Oyo State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, involving a 44-year-old female patient who died on April 11, 2026. Laboratory confirmation of the disease was received on April 13.
In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the state had activated its emergency response mechanisms following the confirmation. She said the Incident Management System for Lassa fever had been placed on alert to coordinate response activities across the state.
“Key steps have been taken to identify and monitor all contacts of the deceased, ensuring that a safe and dignified burial is conducted,” she said.
Ajetunmobi urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness or fatigue, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. She stressed that early presentation at health facilities significantly improves chances of survival.
The commissioner explained that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. It can also spread through contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings without proper infection control.
She advised residents to maintain proper environmental hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, dispose of waste properly, and avoid drying food items on open ground or roadsides. She also urged the public to seal holes and entry points in homes to prevent rodent infestation.
“Good personal hygiene must be practised at all times, including regular hand washing with soap and water, and the use of hand sanitisers where necessary,” she said.
The commissioner urged anyone showing symptoms to report promptly through emergency lines. She added that all health workers had been directed to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols, and that surveillance had been intensified across the state with all health facilities placed on high alert.
Ajetunmobi assured residents that the situation was under control, adding that there was no cause for panic. “Lassa fever is preventable and treatable, especially when detected early,” she said.
