Lassa fever has been reported in Kogi State’s Ibaji Local Government Area, with three patients reported dead.
Additionally, a total of 20 patients are being treated at the Iruah Teaching Hospital in neighbouring Edo State.
The situation has reportedly created panic in the local government area, which lacks a functioning hospital capable of treating the disease, forcing residents to be transferred to Iruah.
“As of today, the cases of Lassa fever recorded for Ibaji LGA currently in care at Iruah Specialist Teaching Hospital are only three,” said Abu Okikiri, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters. It is, however, an outbreak.”
According to an anonymous source from the local government area, the number of people affected who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital exceeds the figure disclosed by the governor’s adviser.
David Ogwu, a former Chairman of the Ibaji Local Government Council and a former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, stated, “It is true that there is an incidence of Lassa fever in Aya and neighbouring communities in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State.”
“The first incident is that about four persons fell ill and died mysteriously without anybody diagnosing the disease or cause of death. Others with similar symptoms were then taken to Iruah Specialist Hospital in Edo State.
He stated that approximately nine individuals had been diagnosed with the disease in Iruah.