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The Oyo State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and says emergency response measures have been activated to contain its spread.
The case involved a 44-year-old woman who was treated at the hospital and died on April 11, 2026, with laboratory results later confirming Lassa fever on April 13, 2026.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the Ministry of Health immediately activated emergency response protocols after confirmation of the infection.
She explained that an Incident Management System (IMS) for Lassa fever has been established to coordinate response efforts across the state.
According to her, early interventions include tracing and monitoring all contacts of the deceased and ensuring a safe and dignified burial.
Residents were urged to seek urgent medical attention if they developed symptoms such as persistent fever, severe weakness, sore throats, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain, or breathing difficulties.
She stressed that early presentation at health facilities greatly improves survival chances.
Ajetunmobi explained that Lassa fever is a viral disease transmitted mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents and can also spread between humans through bodily fluids, particularly in healthcare settings without proper infection control.
She advised residents to maintain strict environmental hygiene by keeping surroundings clean, storing food safely in rodent-proof containers, properly disposing of waste, and avoiding drying food items in open spaces.
She also recommended sealing holes in homes to prevent rodent entry and maintaining good personal hygiene, including regular handwashing and use of sanitisers where necessary.
Residents were asked to report suspected cases via emergency lines 08033742052 and 08025245809, while health workers were directed to strictly follow infection prevention protocols.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to public safety, noting that surveillance has been intensified and that all health facilities have been placed on alert.
She assured residents that the situation is under control and there is no need for panic, adding that Lassa fever is both preventable and treatable when detected early
