The Edo State Government has declared a Lassa fever outbreak following the confirmation of six deaths linked to the disease across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Cyril Oshiomhole, disclosed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Benin City, revealing that 28 cases of the viral infection had been laboratory confirmed.
According to him, the rise in infections, particularly in Etsako West and Esan West Local Government Areas, indicates ongoing community transmission that requires urgent and coordinated intervention.
He explained that the state government had taken proactive measures ahead of the outbreak, noting that Lassa fever had become a recurring public health challenge and that medical supplies had earlier been provided to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital to strengthen response efforts.
Oshiomhole formally announced the outbreak after an epidemiological review and risk assessment conducted by the state Ministry of Health confirmed the growing threat posed by the disease.
He added that all operational units of the Edo State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre had been activated to coordinate response activities in line with national and global health guidelines.
The commissioner said the emergency response would be supervised by the Director of Public Health, who would provide daily situation updates to the ministry to ensure effective monitoring and containment.
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Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease common in West Africa and is mainly transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected Mastomys rats.
