The Oyo State Government has confirmed five cases of Lassa fever, with one recorded death, and says emergency response measures have been activated to contain the outbreak.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Ibadan.

According to her, the confirmed cases are currently being managed at designated isolation and treatment centres, including the state Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the University College Hospital isolation unit.

She said the state government has immediately activated its emergency response framework in line with national and international public health guidelines.

Ajetunmobi explained that an Incident Management System and Emergency Operations Centre have been established to coordinate the response, alongside a multi-sectoral team drawn from relevant ministries and agencies.

She added that surveillance has been intensified, with active case searches ongoing and more than 200 contacts being monitored across affected areas.

The Commissioner also confirmed that isolation centres are fully operational, while essential drugs, including Ribavirin, have been prepositioned for treatment.

She said infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened across health facilities, including the provision of personal protective equipment for health workers and the enforcement of safe burial protocols.

According to her, environmental sanitation exercises, fumigation, and decontamination of affected communities are also ongoing as part of containment efforts.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, said environmental health officers have been deployed to sensitize residents and enforce hygiene compliance in affected areas.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, urged residents to strictly follow public health advisories and report suspected cases early.

A representative of the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital commended the state government’s swift response, describing it as coordinated and effective.

The government assured residents that the outbreak is being closely monitored and that all necessary measures are in place to prevent further spread.