The Edo State Government has confirmed 13 fatalities from the recent Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
Dr. Stephenson Ojeifo, the Director of Public Health at the state Ministry of Health, shared the update in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Benin City. He also revealed that three cases of Mpox (Monkeypox) had been recorded, though none resulted in death.
Since the declaration of the Lassa fever outbreak on December 30, 2024, the state has reported 83 confirmed cases out of 378 suspected cases. “We have 83 confirmed Lassa fever cases so far, with 13 deaths. Currently, seven patients are receiving treatment, while others have been discharged,” Ojeifo stated.
The fatalities have been concentrated in the Etsako West, Esan West, and Esan North-East Local Government Areas, which have been identified as the epicentres of the outbreak. Ojeifo attributed the high mortality rate to delayed medical intervention, as many patients presented to health facilities at an advanced stage of the illness.
The state government is collaborating with private hospitals to ensure timely referrals to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, the designated centre for Lassa fever treatment. Health officials from both the state and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have also conducted contact tracing in affected communities.
“Lassa fever often starts with symptoms similar to malaria and worsens as the disease progresses. We are educating communities to seek medical attention if fever persists for more than 72 hours,” Ojeifo explained. He also advised residents to avoid self-medication and promptly visit the nearest hospital if they experience symptoms resembling malaria.
