The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, announced on Tuesday that the state is experiencing an outbreak of Lassa fever.
Dr. Coker revealed that the viral hemorrhagic fever recently claimed the life of a 25-year-old female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. The young woman fell ill while in Ondo State and was transferred to a secondary health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun, where she died on March 18, 2025.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr. Coker outlined the symptoms of Lassa fever, which include high-grade fever, headache, general body weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
She urged residents to promptly report anyone exhibiting these symptoms to the nearest government health facility for immediate medical attention. “If any febrile illness does not improve within 48 hours of treatment with anti-malarial or antibiotics, Lassa fever should be suspected,” Coker emphasized.
The Commissioner also called on all public and private health facilities in the state to enhance their infection prevention and control measures and ensure compliance among healthcare workers. She further advised healthcare professionals to contact their local government disease surveillance officers or the state disease surveillance officers for guidance if Lassa fever is suspected.
Dr. Coker reassured the public that the Ogun State Government is fully committed to safeguarding the health of its citizens. She confirmed that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team in Ijebu North East, is actively managing the situation with heightened surveillance and community engagement to effectively respond to the outbreak.
