Lassa Fever Outbreak in Oyo: Five Cases Confirmed, One Fatality Reported
The Oyo State Government has confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever, announcing five cases with one death. State health officials have swiftly activated emergency response measures to contain the spread of the virus and protect public health.
During a press briefing, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, stated that the confirmed cases are currently receiving specialized clinical care and containment protocols at designated isolation and treatment facilities. These include the State Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital (UCH) isolation unit in Ibadan.
The state government has initiated a coordinated multi-sectoral intervention, aligning with guidelines from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Key response measures include the activation of the Incident Management System (IMS) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). A multi-sectoral response team comprising representatives from the Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Information sectors has been established.
Surveillance efforts have been intensified, with active case searches and monitoring of over 200 identified contacts. Isolation centers are operational, and essential medications, such as Ribavirin, have been prepositioned. Infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened, including the provision of personal protective equipment and the implementation of safe burial protocols.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, highlighted that environmental health officers have been deployed to educate residents on preventive measures, particularly food vendors, on safety and hygiene.
Residents are urged to remain calm and vigilant, cooperating with public health directives. They are advised to adhere strictly to preventive measures, including proper food storage in rodent-proof containers, maintaining environmental sanitation to eliminate rodent habitats, avoiding contact with rodents, and practicing regular hand washing. Prompt medical attention should be sought for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
During a press briefing, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, stated that the confirmed cases are currently receiving specialized clinical care and containment protocols at designated isolation and treatment facilities. These include the State Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital (UCH) isolation unit in Ibadan.
The state government has initiated a coordinated multi-sectoral intervention, aligning with guidelines from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Key response measures include the activation of the Incident Management System (IMS) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). A multi-sectoral response team comprising representatives from the Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Information sectors has been established.
Surveillance efforts have been intensified, with active case searches and monitoring of over 200 identified contacts. Isolation centers are operational, and essential medications, such as Ribavirin, have been prepositioned. Infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened, including the provision of personal protective equipment and the implementation of safe burial protocols.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, highlighted that environmental health officers have been deployed to educate residents on preventive measures, particularly food vendors, on safety and hygiene.
Residents are urged to remain calm and vigilant, cooperating with public health directives. They are advised to adhere strictly to preventive measures, including proper food storage in rodent-proof containers, maintaining environmental sanitation to eliminate rodent habitats, avoiding contact with rodents, and practicing regular hand washing. Prompt medical attention should be sought for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
This article and image are AI generated. For informational purposes only.