Oyo confirms Lassa fever case, activates emergency response
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Oyo State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, involving a 44-year-old female patient who died on April 11, 2026. Laboratory confirmation was received on April 13. Following this, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, announced the activation of the state's emergency response mechanisms, including placing the Incident Management System for Lassa fever on alert to coordinate activities. Key steps include identifying and monitoring contacts of the deceased and ensuring a dignified burial. Residents are urged to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, as early presentation improves survival chances. Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, and also via bodily fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings without proper infection control. Ajetunmobi advised maintaining proper environmental hygiene, storing food in rodent-proof containers, proper waste disposal, avoiding drying food on open ground, sealing entry points to prevent rodent infestation, and practicing good personal hygiene, including regular hand washing. The public can report symptoms via emergency lines 08033742052 and 08025245809. Health workers have been directed to adhere strictly to infection preven
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US consumer inflation eased in June, with government data showing a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase in the consumer price index, down from 4.2 percent in May. This slowdown was primarily attributed to a drop in energy costs, which offset rises in housing and food prices. Analysts had anticipated a larger 3.8 percent CPI. However, concerns remain that this progress could be temporary due to rising oil prices following renewed Middle East hostilities and US President Donald Trump's order to restart a blockade of Iranian ports. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh stated the central bank is committed to tackling the "inflation surge" and will follow data and law in its decisions, despite pressure from President Trump regarding interest rates. The Fed is also monitoring the impact of AI investments on inflation and the job market. Excluding volatile sectors, core CPI rose 2.6 percent year-on-year in June. White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett described the report as among the best in six years. While a lower underlying inflation reading offers the Fed "breathing room," the sharp reversal in oil and gasoline prices could still lead to a rate hike. The effects of Trump's tariffs and AI buildout on prices were less discernible than expected. US gasoline costs fell 9.7 percent month-on-month in June, though still higher than a year ago, while food costs climbed 0.2 percent monthly. The Fed's preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, is due o
The Abia State Government has announced the conviction of two individuals in separate child defilement cases, resulting in sentences of 30 and 10 years imprisonment. This development was highlighted by Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu as a significant achievement in the state's efforts against sexual and gender-based violence. One 35-year-old man from Akwa Ibom State received a 10-year sentence for defiling a five-year-old girl, while another 32-year-old man was sentenced to 30 years for defiling a 13-year-old girl. Kanu stated that these convictions demonstrate the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards sexual offenses and serve as a deterrent. The Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the General Hospital, Aba, was credited for its role in these cases, providing medical, psychosocial, and referral services to survivors. The center is currently handling new cases, including one involving a 60-year-old woman and another five-year-old child. Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, noted that one of the convicts was apprehended in Nasarawa State and brought back to Abia for prosecution. Felix praised the collaboration among various ministries and the Nigeria Police Force for the swift prosecution, and commended Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, for his support. Governor Alex Otti's administration is committed to protecting vulnerable residents and ensuring justice for survivors of sexual violence.
Must ReadA coroner's court in the United Kingdom has ruled that Beatrice Solomon, a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, died by suicide. Beatrice, who moved to the UK on a skilled worker visa in November 2023, was found unresponsive in her home. Her husband, Damian Butler, discovered her upon returning home from work. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Police ruled out third-party involvement. Butler testified that Beatrice had struggled with mental health challenges over the past year, linked to issues with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and had made two previous attempts to take her life. A post-mortem examination determined she died from oxygen deprivation. Coroner Li Hammond-Naylor concluded that Beatrice had researched and planned her death. Beatrice, a carer, is survived by her husband, a son, and her siblings. This incident highlights the mental health challenges migrants may face due to factors like family separation, financial stress, and cultural barriers, underscoring the need for accessible mental health support for migrants.