Edo State Government has recorded at least 13 deaths from the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state between December 2024 and February 2025.
The state also recorded three confirmed cases of Monkey pox, Mpox, with no mortality.
The Director of Public Health in the State’s Ministry of Health, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo made the disclosure at the weekend in Benin City.
According to Ojeifo, the state recorded 83 positive cases of Lassa Fever with 13 mortality so far.
He identified places where the casualties were recorded to include Etsako West, Esan West and Esan North- East local government Areas.
While saying that the affected local governments are the three epic local governments of the Lassa Fever in the state, Ojeifo noted that since the outbreak of the disease on December 30, 2024, in the state, over 378 suspected cases of Lassa fever have been recorded.
“But, as at today, of that number 83 were confirmed positive for the disease with 13 mortality. Seven are still receiving treatment while others have been discharged, he stated.
The Director of Public Health, attributed the death rate to the late presentation of patients to the hospital for examination and treatment.
Ojeifo said to address the development, they are liaising with private hospitals in the state to ensure that referral is promptly brought to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital designated for the treatment of the disease.
He, however, called on the people not to self medicate but to report to the nearest hospital when they have symptoms like malaria.
56 confirmed positive cases with eight deaths were recorded between December 30, 2024 and January 24, 2025, when the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, declared the outbreak of the disease in the state.
