Oyo State government has confirmed five cases of Lassa fever, with one record of death.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this at a news conference held in Ibadan on Friday.
Ajetunmobi, however, assured residents of the government’s swift response to contain the spread and protect public health.
The commissioner said that the confirmed cases were currently being managed at the state Infectious Disease Centre, IDC, Olodo, and the University College Hospital, UCH.
According to her, specialised clinical care and containment protocols are being implemented at the mentioned isolation units, as the state government promptly activated its emergency response framework.
She said the government initiated a coordinated multi-sectoral intervention according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, national guidelines and World Health Organisation, WHO, global best practices.
She appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of residents.
According to the commissioner, the governor’s timely approval and release of emergency funds facilitated the rapid operationalisation of the response structure.
Ajetunmobi outlined key interventions already implemented, including the activation of the Incident Management System, IMS, and Emergency Operations Centre, EOC.
In addition, she mentioned the establishment of a multi-sectoral response team, comprising the health, environment, agriculture, and information sectors.
She further noted that a comprehensive Incident Action Plan has been developed and is being implemented alongside intensified surveillance, including active case search and monitoring of over 200 identified contacts.
“Other measures include the deployment of the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) for real-time data management, operationalisation of isolation centres, and prepositioning of Ribavirin and other essential commodities.
“In addition, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures have been strengthened, including provision and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
“Safe and dignified burial protocols are also being implemented in collaboration with environmental health authorities,” she said.
She added that environmental sanitation, fumigation, and decontamination of affected areas were ongoing, while continuous capacity building and sensitisation of healthcare workers were being carried out.
According to the commissioner, public risk communication through mass media, information materials, and community engagement is also being sustained.
She further emphasised strengthened laboratory coordination with the UCH Biorepository Clinical Virology Laboratory to support timely diagnosis and response.
Ajetunmobi acknowledged the strong intersectoral collaboration that has made the response effective, appreciating UCH for its critical role in case management, laboratory diagnosis, and clinical support.
She also commended the state’s ministries of Environment, Agriculture, and Information, as well as development partners, for their technical and logistical support.
NCDC was also appreciated for its technical leadership and coordination.
She advised the public to adhere strictly to the following preventive measures: proper storage of food in sealed and rodent-proof containers; maintaining environmental sanitation to eliminate rodent habitats; and avoiding contact with rodents.
Other preventive measures she mentioned included implementing control measures in homes and farms, regular hand washing with soap and water, and avoiding contact with bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed cases.
She urged the public to seek prompt medical attention for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding and report suspected cases immediately to the nearest health facility.
“Strict compliance with IPC protocols by healthcare workers is vital,” she said.
She advised residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with public health directives, noting that further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Ademola Aderinto, said the ministry had taken proactive steps to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state.
He disclosed that environmental health officers had been deployed to sensitise residents on preventive measures.
He added that the ministry was engaging food vendors to prevent selling contaminated food to the public, while emphasising the importance of maintaining clean and safe environments.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the government was prioritising security and health sectors in the state.
He called on residents to adhere strictly to preventive measures issued by the Ministry of Health.
UCH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, appreciated the Oyo State Government for its swift response.
Otegbayo, represented by Prof. Bukola Adesina, described the support as robust, comprehensive, and reassuring.
He noted that resources made available by the state government greatly assisted in managing the situation effectively.
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