The Edo State Government has officially declared an outbreak of Lassa fever following the confirmation of 28 cases and six deaths across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, made the disclosure on Friday while briefing journalists in Benin City, describing the development as a serious public health concern requiring urgent intervention.
According to him, the spike in infections particularly in Etsako West and Esan West Local Government Areas, points to sustained community transmission of the viral disease.
“Following a careful epidemiological review and risk assessment by the Edo State Ministry of Health, I hereby formally declare a Lassa fever outbreak in Edo State,” he said.
“As of today, the state has recorded 28 laboratory-confirmed cases with six reported deaths.”
Oshiomhole noted that the government had anticipated a resurgence of the disease, which has become seasonal in the state, and had taken precautionary steps, including the donation of Lassa fever response packs to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
In line with established public health guidelines, the commissioner announced the immediate activation of all response units under the Edo State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
He explained that the response would be coordinated by the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, who would provide daily situation reports.
He assured residents that the government remained vigilant and committed to containing the outbreak and safeguarding public health.
Legal Observer reports that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in parts of West Africa.
It is caused by the Lassa virus and is commonly transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.
Health experts said symptoms range from mild fever and weakness to severe complications such as internal bleeding and shock. Early treatment with the antiviral drug ribavirin significantly improves survival rates.
While the overall fatality rate is estimated at about one per cent, it rises to between 15 and 20 per cent among hospitalised patients.
