By Adesakin Adefemi
The Oyo State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, following the death of a 44-year-old female patient on April 11, 2026.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. She said laboratory confirmation of Lassa Fever was received on April 13, 2026, two days after the patient passed away while being managed at UCH.
According to the commissioner, the State Government, through the Ministry of Health, immediately activated its emergency response mechanisms once the case was confirmed. She said the Incident Management System for Lassa Fever has been fully activated to coordinate all response activities across the state.
Key steps have already been taken to contain the situation. Dr. Ajetunmobi explained that health officials are working to identify and monitor all contacts of the deceased. She added that a safe and dignified burial was conducted in line with public health protocols.
The commissioner urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms linked to Lassa Fever.
These include persistent fever, weakness or extreme fatigue, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding from gums, nose, urine, or injection sites, and chest pain or difficulty in breathing. She emphasized that early presentation at any health facility will significantly improve chances of survival.
Dr. Ajetunmobi further explained that Lassa Fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected rodents.
She stressed that it can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual, particularly in healthcare settings where appropriate precautions are not taken.
She advised residents to maintain a high level of environmental hygiene by keeping their homes and surroundings clean. She said food should be stored in rodent-proof containers, wastes should be disposed of properly, and residents should avoid drying food items on the ground or by the roadside.
She also urged people to take deliberate steps to avoid contact with rodents by sealing holes and other entry points in their homes.
The commissioner stressed the importance of good personal hygiene at all times, including regular hand washing with soap and water and the use of hand sanitisers where necessary.
She advised anyone experiencing symptoms of Lassa Fever to promptly report through the designated emergency lines: 08033742052 and 08025245809. She also enjoined all health workers to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols at all times.
Dr. Ajetunmobi reiterated that the Oyo State Government remains fully committed to protecting the health and safety of all residents. She noted that surveillance has been intensified across the state, and all health facilities have been placed on high alert.
The government is also strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and effective response. She assured residents that there is no cause for panic, the situation is under control, and Lassa Fever is preventable and treatable, especially when detected early.
