The Oyo State Government has announced five confirmed cases of Lassa fever, with one fatality, prompting the activation of emergency response measures to curb the spread of the disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this in Ibadan, stating that the affected patients are currently receiving treatment at designated isolation centres, including the State Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, and the University College Hospital.
She said the state swiftly initiated a coordinated response in line with national and global health guidelines, activating its emergency framework to contain the outbreak.
According to her, the government has set up a multi-sectoral response team and activated the Emergency Operations Centre to drive containment efforts.
Ajetunmobi noted that surveillance activities had been intensified, with over 200 contacts already identified and placed under close monitoring, while data management systems had been deployed to track the situation in real time.
She added that treatment facilities had been equipped with necessary drugs and materials, while infection prevention protocols had been reinforced across healthcare centres.
The commissioner said environmental sanitation and decontamination efforts were ongoing, alongside public awareness campaigns to educate residents on preventive measures.
She urged the public to maintain hygiene, store food properly, avoid contact with rodents, and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms arise.
Ajetunmobi also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for providing the needed support to ensure a swift response to the outbreak.
In separate remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Ademola Aderinto, said officials had been deployed to promote environmental cleanliness, while the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, urged residents to comply with health advisories.
Officials of the University College Hospital also praised the state government’s intervention, describing it as timely and effective in addressing the situation.
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