Edo State has recorded 56 Lassa fever instances and eight deaths between 30 December 2024 and January 2025, says the state Commissioner for Well being, Cyril Oshiomhole.
Mr Oshiomhole disclosed this on Friday in Benin whereas talking of Lassa fever within the state.
“The 2025 epidemic 12 months started on 30 December 2024. Since then, 336 suspected instances have been reported, with 56 confirmed and eight leading to loss of life,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the outbreak posed vital public well being dangers because of its fast transmission potential and extreme outcomes if not successfully managed.
Mr Oshiomhole revealed that 14 sufferers are at the moment receiving specialised care on the Lassa Fever Therapy Centre in Irrua Specialist Educating Hospital (ISTH).
He mentioned, “In 2024, the state recorded 3,270 suspected instances, 292 confirmed instances, and 41 deaths, displaying a decline from 2023 which recorded 65 deaths from 372 confirmed instances.”
In line with him, the state has activated its Public Well being Emergencies Response Administration Staff, collaborating with healthcare services, neighborhood leaders, and stakeholders to comprise the outbreak.
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The response contains measures resembling “enhanced surveillance, expanded remedy centres, An infection Prevention and Management (IPC), public consciousness campaigns, and partnerships with well being organisations.”
He urged residents to report anybody with signs like fever, weak point, complications, vomiting, or bleeding to the closest well being facility for early detection.
READ ALSO: Lassa Fever: Well being employee contaminated as NCDC confirms 143 instances
The commissioner additionally tasked the response workforce with lowering the Case Fatality Price and guaranteed of presidency help for enhancing Lassa fever administration efforts.
He additional mentioned that the molecular laboratory on the College of Benin Educating Hospital (UBTH) had been optimised for Lassa fever testing, growing the state’s capability with two testing centres at UBTH and ISTH.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) reviews that Ekaete Tobi, a medical physician on the ISTH, has been appointed because the state Lassa fever incident supervisor to coordinate outbreak management actions.
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