Oyo State Government Activates Emergency Protocols Following Five Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases and One Fatality

Oyo State confirms five Lassa fever cases and one death. Health officials monitor 200 contacts and activate emergency isolation protocols in Ibadan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 6:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Leadership News

Activation of State Emergency Health Infrastructure

Following the confirmation of five Lassa fever cases and one fatality, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, announced the immediate activation of the state's emergency response framework. Confirmed patients are currently receiving specialized clinical care at designated isolation units, including the State Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital. These facilities are operating under strict containment protocols designed to mitigate further transmission while providing critical interventions for those infected.

Multisectoral Response and Contact Surveillance

The state has operationalized an Incident Management System and an Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate a multi-sectoral team involving the health, environment, agriculture, and information sectors. According to Dr. Ajetunmobi, surveillance efforts have been intensified to include an active case search and the monitoring of over 200 individuals identified as contacts. This proactive tracking is supported by the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System, which allows for real-time data management and analysis during the containment phase.

Strategic Resource Deployment and Medical Supplies

To combat the viral spread, the state government has prepositioned essential commodities, including the antiviral medication Ribavirin, across its treatment centers. Emergency funds released by Governor Seyi Makinde have facilitated the rapid procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and the implementation of safe burial protocols. These measures align with the technical guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and global health standards to ensure frontline safety.