The Edo State Ministry of Health has confirmed that six people have died in a recent Lassa fever outbreak, as health authorities scramble to contain the spread of the highly infectious viral disease. The outbreak, now officially declared by the state government, has also seen 28 laboratory-confirmed cases, primarily concentrated in Etsako West and Esan West Local Government Areas.
Speaking on the situation, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, said the outbreak shows evidence of sustained community transmission, necessitating an immediate and coordinated response. The state government has deployed Lassa fever treatment packs to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), the designated treatment centre for the state, and activated all pillars of the Edo State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre to manage the crisis.
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents particularly the multimammate rat or through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected patients. Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, internal bleeding and shock. Early medical intervention with ribavirin, an antiviral drug, is critical to reduce mortality.
Dr. Oshiomhole urged residents to practise good sanitation, seal homes against rodents, avoid handling sick individuals without protective gear, and seek immediate medical care if any Lassa fever symptoms develop. He also stressed the importance of community cooperation in reporting suspected cases to local health authorities.
The Edo State government is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other partners to trace contacts, intensify public awareness campaigns, and strengthen hospital readiness. Authorities warned that without strict adherence to preventive measures, the outbreak could spread further across the state and neighbouring regions.
Public health experts have called for heightened vigilance during the dry season, when Lassa fever cases typically rise due to increased human-rodent contact. Meanwhile, emergency response teams continue to monitor the situation, providing medical support, surveillance, and community education to prevent additional fatalities.
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