The Rauf Aregbesola-led government in Osun State has denied the news making the rounds that there is an outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the state.
In a personally signed release from the office of Mr Adelani Baderinwa, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the government categorically stated that there has not been any report of the spread of the disease.
Read the full text of the statement here:
The state government of Osun wishes to inform the general public that there is no outbreak of Lassa fever in any part of the state. There has not been any report on the spread of the disease by our medical personnel who are observing patients in hospitals.
There is no reason for anybody to panic on the report of a suspected Lassa fever case in the state. What was reported is an isolated death case of a young man who came from a neighbouring state. The young man who was suspected of carrying Lassa fever disease from the neighbouring state died at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife.
As a proactive measure, the medical personnel had to quarantine those who had contact with the strayed deceased for observation. This is a normal medical procedure, and does not mean the quarantined people are possibly carrying lassa fever disease. As at today, there has not been any other confirmed Lassa fever case except that of the young man from a neighbouring state that died at the OAUTHC
All necessary steps to prevent the outbreak of this disease or any other one in Osun had been pro actively taken. Filth and dirt’s are been regularly taken care of, while medical personnel had been on red alert to ensure any unexpected disease outbreak is contained.
As far as prevention is concerned, Osun government has been proactive while all curative efforts are already set in place.
We urge people to make sure that their environment is clean and keep their foodstuffs away from rodents.
Once again, the government urges the people not to panic, as there is no spread of lassa fever in the state.
Signed: Adelani Baderinwa, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, State of Osun
