A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has died from Lassa fever in Ogun State. The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday while declaring an outbreak of the disease in the state.
Dr. Coker explained that the 25-year-old corps member initially fell ill in Ondo State. However, she was later taken to a government hospital in Ijebu North Local Government Area on March 18, where she sadly passed away on the same day.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease that causes severe symptoms, including high fever, headache, general body weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding from various body openings. The commissioner urged the public to be alert and report any suspected cases to health facilities immediately.
“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!” Dr. Coker said.
She further called on all health facilities, both public and private, to strengthen their infection prevention and control measures to prevent further spread. She also encouraged medical personnel to ensure strict compliance with safety protocols.
The Ogun State government, through the Ministry of Health, is working closely with the Rapid Response Team in Ijebu North East to manage the situation. Measures such as heightened surveillance, community engagement, and mobilization are being taken to contain the outbreak.
