By Maxwell Oyekunle
The Oyo State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The case involved a 44-year-old woman who was treated at the hospital but died on April 11, 2026, while laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was received on April 13.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the state government immediately activated its emergency response mechanisms through the Ministry of Health following confirmation of the case.
Dr Ajetunmobi said the Incident Management System for Lassa fever had been activated to coordinate response activities, adding that authorities were identifying and monitoring all contacts of the deceased and ensuring a safe and dignified burial.
She urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain or difficulty in breathing, noting that early treatment improves survival.
Dr Ajetunmobi advised residents to maintain good environmental hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, properly dispose of waste and seal holes in homes to prevent rodent entry.
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