Edo State has recorded 56 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever and eight deaths between December 30, 2024, and January 2025, according to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole disclosed this on Friday in Benin City while officially declaring the current Lassa Fever situation in the state.
“The 2025 epidemic year began on December 30, 2024. Since then, 336 suspected cases have been reported, with 56 confirmed and eight resulting in death,” he said.
He noted that the outbreak poses significant public health risks due to its rapid transmission potential and severe outcomes if not effectively managed.
The commissioner revealed that 14 patients are currently receiving specialized care at the Lassa Fever Treatment Center in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).
“In 2024, the state recorded 3,270 suspected cases, 292 confirmed cases, and 41 deaths, showing a decline compared to 2023, which recorded 65 deaths from 372 confirmed cases,” Oshiomhole added.
To address the outbreak, the state has activated its Public Health Emergencies Response Management Team in collaboration with healthcare facilities, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
The response measures include enhanced surveillance, expanded treatment centers, infection Prevention and Control (IPC) strategies, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with health organizations.
Oshiomhole urged residents to report individuals exhibiting symptoms such as fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, or bleeding to the nearest health facility for early detection and treatment.
He also tasked the response team with reducing the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and assured that the government would provide the necessary support to strengthen Lassa Fever management efforts.
To bolster diagnostic capacity, the commissioner stated that the molecular laboratory at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has been optimized for Lassa Fever testing. The state now has two functional testing centers at UBTH and ISTH.
Dr. Ekaete Tobi of ISTH has been appointed as the state’s Lassa Fever Incident Manager to coordinate outbreak control activities.
