The Oyo State Government on Friday confirmed five cases of Lassa fever, with one fatality recorded, raising fresh concerns over public health in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Ibadan, assuring residents that authorities had activated rapid response measures to curb the spread of the disease.
She said confirmed cases were currently receiving treatment at the state’s Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital, with strict isolation and clinical protocols in place.
According to the commissioner, the government swiftly triggered its emergency response framework in line with guidelines by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and global standards set by the World Health Organization.
Ajetunmobi credited Governor Seyi Makinde for providing decisive leadership, noting that the prompt release of emergency funds enabled the immediate rollout of containment strategies.
She explained that the state had activated its Incident Management System and Emergency Operations Centre, alongside setting up a multi-sectoral response team involving health, environment, agriculture and information sectors.
The commissioner added that surveillance had been intensified, with over 200 contacts already identified and placed under monitoring, while real-time data tracking was being carried out using the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System.
She said isolation centres had been fully operationalised, with essential medicines, including Ribavirin, prepositioned, and infection prevention protocols reinforced through the provision of personal protective equipment.
Ajetunmobi further disclosed that safe burial procedures were being implemented in collaboration with environmental health authorities, while fumigation and decontamination of affected areas were ongoing.
She noted that public awareness campaigns had been stepped up through the media and community engagement, while laboratory collaboration with the UCH Clinical Virology Laboratory had enhanced timely diagnosis.
The commissioner commended the UCH for its critical role in case management and laboratory support, alongside other ministries and development partners for their contributions to the response efforts.
She urged residents to maintain proper hygiene, store food safely, eliminate rodent habitats, and avoid contact with infected persons, advising anyone with symptoms such as fever, vomiting or bleeding to seek immediate medical attention.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, said environmental health officers had been deployed across communities to sensitise residents and enforce preventive measures.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, urging strict compliance with official guidelines.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Jesse Otegbayo, represented by Prof. Bukola Adesina, described the state government’s intervention as timely and comprehensive, noting that the support had significantly strengthened ongoing response efforts.
Authorities, however, called for calm, vigilance and cooperation from residents as containment measures continue across the state.