Oyo State has recorded 131 suspected Lassa fever cases from January to September 10, 2026, with six confirmed cases and one death, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, has announced.
Ajetunmobi disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Ibadan on Thursday. She clarified that these figures do not indicate an ongoing outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
The commissioner explained that Lassa fever is endemic in some parts of the state, and a single confirmed case is considered an outbreak. However, suspected cases cannot be classified as confirmed until laboratory tests verify the infection.
“Many suspected cases are reported because the initial symptoms of Lassa fever resemble malaria and other febrile illnesses,” she said. “We have 131 suspected cases, with six confirmed and one death.”
She noted that some patients initially presented with fever and other symptoms that could be linked to malaria or other infections, making laboratory testing essential for accurate diagnosis. Samples from suspected cases are collected and sent to laboratories for confirmation, and confirmed cases are treated immediately.
Ajetunmobi added that the state’s public health emergency operations center and surveillance officers are activated whenever a suspected case is identified, with samples taken for testing. “If it’s Lassa fever, we treat it immediately. Those who test negative are subsequently ruled out.”
She urged residents to stay vigilant, especially as changing climatic conditions seem to be affecting the traditional seasonal pattern of Lassa fever transmission. Usually associated with the dry season—around October, November, March, and April—suspected cases are now occurring outside these periods.
The commissioner emphasized the importance of proper environmental hygiene, noting that poor waste disposal can create conditions favorable to multimammate rats, which transmit Lassa fever. She advised households to keep environments clean, dispose of waste properly, cover openings to prevent rodent entry, and keep food covered.
Residents are also encouraged to wash hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer as needed. Healthcare workers should adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures when attending to patients with fever or related symptoms.
“Treat every patient as a potential infection case. Use gloves, masks, and other protective equipment when caring for patients,” she stressed.
Symptoms that should raise suspicion include fever, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, and, in severe cases, bleeding from body openings. She warned residents not to conceal illness or delay seeking medical care, as late presentation can lead to complications.
Finally, Ajetunmobi called for increased public awareness of Lassa fever and other infectious diseases. She emphasized that current alerts aim to promote vigilance, not panic, and urged residents to take ownership of their health by adopting preventive measures and seeking medical attention when symptoms persist.
