IBADAN: The Oyo State Government has confirmed five cases of Lassa fever, with one fatality recorded, prompting an urgent public health response across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Ibadan, noting that affected individuals are currently receiving treatment.
According to her, patients are being managed at the state’s Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the isolation unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), with medical teams working to contain the outbreak.
In response to the situation, the state has activated its emergency response framework in line with guidelines from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Authorities have also launched a multi-sectoral intervention, including:
- Active case search across affected communities
- Monitoring of over 200 identified contacts
- Deployment of essential medications such as Ribavirin
- Operationalisation of isolation centres
- Distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Enforcement of safe burial protocols
The outbreak comes amid growing concern nationwide. The NCDC recently reported a sharp increase in Lassa fever fatalities, with 167 deaths recorded in 2026 so far representing a case fatality rate higher than figures from the same period in 2025.
Health authorities have urged residents to adopt preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease. These include:
- Proper food storage to prevent contamination
- Maintaining good hygiene and sanitation
- Avoiding contact with rodents, which are primary carriers
- Seeking immediate medical attention upon noticing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding
The government emphasised that early detection and prompt treatment remain critical to reducing mortality and preventing further spread.
Officials say surveillance and response efforts will continue to be strengthened as the state works to contain the outbreak and protect public health.
