The Oyo State government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever at University College Hospital in Ibadan and says emergency containment measures are already in place.
Health Commissioner Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi said the confirmed case involved a 44-year-old woman who was treated at UCH and died on April 11. Laboratory results confirming Lassa fever were received on April 13.
Following the confirmation, the state said it immediately activated its emergency response system and set up an Incident Management System to coordinate containment efforts.
“The case involved a 44-year-old woman who was managed at UCH and died on April 11, 2026,” Ajetunmobi said, adding that contacts linked to the patient have already been identified and are being monitored.
The government also said it ensured a safe burial for the deceased and has placed health facilities across the state on high alert.
Residents were urged to watch for symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain, and breathing difficulty. “Early presentation at health facilities significantly improves chances of survival,” the commissioner said.
She explained that Lassa fever spreads mainly through contact with food or items contaminated by infected rodent waste, but can also spread through bodily fluids.
To reduce risk, the government advised residents to keep homes clean, store food safely, dispose of waste properly, seal rodent entry points, and maintain regular handwashing.
Officials said surveillance has been stepped up across Oyo, while emergency lines have been opened for reporting suspected cases. The state assured residents that there is no need for panic and that the situation is under control.
