The Ogun State government has confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever following the death of a 25-year-old female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, announced the development on Wednesday, stating that the deceased corps member, who had fallen ill in Ondo State, was brought to a government health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area on March 18 and sadly passed away the same day.
Dr. Coker described Lassa fever as a viral hemorrhagic disease that manifests with symptoms such as high-grade fever, headache, general body weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding from various body openings.
She urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms, especially if a febrile illness does not respond to anti-malarial or antibiotic treatments within 48 hours.
Health facilities across the state, both public and private, have been advised to enhance infection prevention and control measures.
Dr. Coker emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health through continuous surveillance and prompt responses to infectious diseases.
She noted that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team in Ijebu North East, is actively managing the situation with heightened surveillance and community engagement.
This incident adds to the growing concern over Lassa fever in Nigeria.
As of March 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 563 confirmed cases and 103 deaths nationwide, reflecting an 18.3% case fatality rate.
The states most affected include Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo.
Lassa fever is endemic in parts of West Africa and is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or feces.
Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings with inadequate infection control measures.
The Ogun State government continues to monitor the situation closely and urges the public to maintain high standards of hygiene and report any suspected cases promptly.
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