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Oyo confirms Lassa fever case, activates emergency response

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