A Lassa fever outbreak in Ondo State has claimed 12 lives, with 112 confirmed cases and 353 suspected infections. Authorities have launched a diagnostic centre to improve detection and treatment. The government urges sanitation efforts to curb the spread of the virus, emphasizing public awareness and preventive measures.
At least 12 people have died following a Lassa fever outbreak in Ondo State, with 112 confirmed infections and 353 suspected cases, according to state health officials. The alarming figures were disclosed by the Acting Statistician-General of Ondo State, Olusola Ajayi, during a public address in Akure. Ajayi urged the state’s Waste Management Authority to intensify sanitation efforts to curb the spread of the deadly disease.
The Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, revealed that the state has recorded nearly 400 suspected cases since the outbreak began. In response, the Nigerian government, alongside the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, has established a new Lassa fever diagnostic centre in Ondo to enhance early detection and treatment. Ikuomola assured that the government is working tirelessly to operationalize the laboratory and strengthen collaborations with health agencies to reduce fatalities.
Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents. Given Ondo’s recurring outbreaks, health authorities have called for heightened public awareness and improved hygiene measures. The state government has reiterated its commitment to combating the disease and minimizing further loss of life.
