The Oyo state ministry of health has closed down 2 hospitals in Saki West local government area of the state following suspected Lassa fever outbreak. This follows a confirmation of 4 deaths by The Oyo State Rapid Response Team (RRT) from the ministry of health which visited the affected area in Saki following distress calls from residents on what they call mysterious deaths.
The fatalities consisted of three males and one 32-year-old female who was preparing for her marriage.
In a release signed by the Commissioner for Information and orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, had earlier tasked the Oyo State Rapid Response Team to Saki, following numerous calls from Saki West Local Government reporting an outbreak that has led to a number of deaths.
The team, consisting of the Director of Public Health, the State Epidemiologist, State Disease Notification Officer (DSNO), State Laboratory Focal Persons, representatives from WHO and Red Cross, as well as the PHC Coordinator of Saki West and the LGA DSNO, embarked on a comprehensive investigation to the scene of the incidence.
Background information gathered that one of the apprentices at the hospital, who had returned from Iwajowa Local Government Area of the state fell ill about two weeks before the incident, and was suspected to have introduced the infection.
The team noted that “She likely transmitted it to her co-workers and the hospital owner”.
Three of the deceased exhibited typical symptoms of Lassa fever, including craniofacial bleeding, while the hospital owner showed fatigue and self-medicated with antimalarials and antibiotics. His condition only prompted hospital admission when his self-treatment failed.
Public awareness campaigns were held to educate the community about Lassa fever, its transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures.
Credit: channelstv.com
