The Oyo State Ministry of Health has confirmed the deaths of four people linked to a suspected Lassa fever outbreak, prompting the closure of two hospitals in Saki West Local Government Area.
The State Rapid Response Team (RRT) mobilized to the affected region after distress calls reported “mysterious deaths” among residents.
The fatalities include three males and a 32-year-old female who was reportedly preparing for her wedding.
In a statement by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, dispatched the RRT to investigate the situation after receiving numerous reports of an outbreak.
The response team, comprised of the Director of Public Health, the State Epidemiologist, the Disease Notification Officer, and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross, conducted a comprehensive investigation in Saki.
During their inquiry, it was revealed that an apprentice from one of the affected hospitals, who had recently returned from Iwajowa Local Government Area, fell ill around two weeks before the incident, raising suspicions that she may have brought the infection into the hospital.
According to the RRT’s findings, the apprentice potentially spread the virus to coworkers and the hospital owner.
Three of the deceased displayed classic Lassa fever symptoms, including craniofacial bleeding, while the hospital owner experienced fatigue and attempted to treat himself with antimalarial drugs and antibiotics before finally seeking hospital admission.
In response, the Oyo State Ministry of Health ordered the immediate closure of the two hospitals for decontamination, including the facility where the infected hospital owner had been admitted.
The doctor treating the owner, unaware of the suspected Lassa fever, has been placed under close surveillance.
The team also conducted extensive contact tracing, particularly targeting those involved in handling and bathing the bodies of the deceased, a high-risk group for disease transmission.
Public awareness campaigns were launched to educate residents about Lassa fever transmission, symptoms, and prevention, and healthcare workers in the region received refresher training on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures.
Sample collection is ongoing, with suspected cases under laboratory examination. Contact tracking efforts continue, focusing on individuals at high risk of exposure.
To strengthen containment, advocacy visits were made to the Okere of Saki, where his representative was briefed on the outbreak.
Local government authorities in Saki West were also aligned with the containment initiatives.
The investigation has expanded, revealing that the outbreak, initially isolated to Saki West, has spread to Iwajowa and Kajola Local Government Areas.
Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) in these areas have begun preliminary containment measures as the State RRT scales up its response.
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