A 25-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reportedly died of Lassa fever at a secondary health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The female corps member fell ill while in Ondo State and was brought to the health facility last Tuesday, where she passed away later that same day.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, who also confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
The statement reads, “Ogun State has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever and as such declared Lassa fever outbreak.
“The index case is a 25-year-old female National Youth Corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State and was brought to on of our secondary health facility in ljebu North LGA on 18th March 2025 and later died same day.
“Lassa fever is a viral Haemorrhagic disease that presents with High grade fever, Headache, General body weakness, Sore throat, Muscle pain, Cough, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Chest pain and Unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.”
Coker urged members of the community to report to the hospital if any of the listed symptoms is noticed.
“We implore members of the community to promptly report to the hospital if they notice any of these symptoms. Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever!
“We implore all Health facilities in Ogun State, public and private, to step up Infection Prevention and Control measures and to encourage compliance by all health facility staff.
“ Healthcare worker that suspects Lassa fever in a patient, are advised to call their local government disease surveillance and notification officer (LGA DSNO) whose numbers are placed in our health facilities or call State Disease surveillance and Notification Officer (0703-421-4893) or State Epidemiologist (0808-425-0881),” she added.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration to safeguarding public health through ongoing surveillance and swift responses to infectious diseases.
She further stated that the ministry, in partnership with the Rapid Response Team in Ijebu North East, is effectively managing the situation through heightened surveillance, community engagement, and mobilization for a prompt and effective response.
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