The Ogun State Government has declared an outbreak of Lassa fever following the death of a 25-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member from Ondo State
According to the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, the corps member fell ill in Ondo and was admitted to a secondary health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area on 18 March but later died the same day.
In a statement shared with journalists on Wednesday, Dr Coker announced that Ogun State has confirmed a Lassa fever case and declared an outbreak.
Index case
“The index case is a 25-year-old female NYSC member who fell ill in Ondo State. She was brought to a secondary health facility in Ijebu North LGA on 18 March but, unfortunately, passed away the same day,” the statement reads in part.
The Ogun case emerged a few weeks after a 31-year-old physician died from Lassa fever in Ondo State.
According to a health advisory issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the physician passed away on 1 March in Ondo State after returning from the UK.
Seventeen days after the physician’s death, a corps member died of Lassa fever.
Dr Coker urged all health facilities, both public and private, to strengthen infection prevention and control measures while ensuring strict compliance by all healthcare workers.
The commissioner advised healthcare workers who suspect a Lassa fever case to immediately contact their local government disease surveillance and notification officer (LGA DSNO) or call the State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (0703-421-4893) or the State Epidemiologist (0808-425-0881).
She assured the public that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team in Ijebu North East, is actively managing the situation through enhanced surveillance, community engagement, and mobilisation for an effective response.
“The Ogun State Government remains committed to protecting the health of its citizens through continuous surveillance and rapid response to infectious diseases,” she added.
Lassa fever symptoms, transmission
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus.
According to NCDC, the natural reservoir for the virus, is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat). However, other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus.
The Centre explained that Lassa fever is transmitted through direct contact with or ingesting food and drinks contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents. It can also be contracted through contact with contaminated objects, household items, or surfaces.
Dr Coker explained that Lassa fever presents with high-grade fever, headache, body weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, or other body openings.
The Ogun state government urged community members to seek medical attention immediately if they notice any of these symptoms. It advised “Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours of use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever.”
