The Ogun State government has raised an alarm over a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever following the death of a 25-year-old female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
The deceased, who hailed from Ondo State, was admitted to a secondary health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area on March 18, 2025, but tragically passed away the same day.
Confirming the outbreak, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, assured the public that the government is taking swift measures to contain the spread of the disease.
“The index case is a 25-year-old female corps member who fell ill in Ondo State before being brought to one of our secondary health facilities in Ijebu North LGA. Sadly, she did not survive. With this confirmation, we have officially declared a Lassa fever outbreak in Ogun State,” she stated.
Coker described Lassa fever as a severe viral haemorrhagic illness that manifests with symptoms such as high-grade fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding from various body openings.
She urged residents to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms.
“We implore members of the public to report to the hospital if they notice any of these symptoms. Any febrile illness that does not respond to malaria treatment or antibiotics within 48 hours should be considered a possible case of Lassa fever,” she cautioned.
The commissioner further directed all public and private health facilities in the state to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
“Healthcare workers must exercise a high index of suspicion and report suspected cases promptly. Anyone suspecting a case should immediately contact their Local Government Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) or reach the State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer at 0703-421-4893 or the State Epidemiologist at 0808-425-0881,” she added.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, Coker noted that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration has intensified disease surveillance and response efforts.
“Our rapid response team in Ijebu North East is actively managing the situation with enhanced surveillance and community engagement to prevent further spread,” she said.
The Ogun State Ministry of Health has also begun sensitization campaigns to educate residents about the prevention of Lassa fever, emphasizing proper food storage, hygiene, and the need to avoid contact with rodents, which are known carriers of the virus.
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