BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – The Edo State Government says Lassa fever has claimed 15 lives since the outbreak was declared in the state in February 2026 with health authorities sounding an alarm that delayed medical visits are worsening the death toll.
The Director of Public Health at the Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ojeifo Stevenson Ojeifo, who made the disclosure in Benin during the State’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Review meeting, said the State recorded 1,163 suspected cases of Lassa fever as of May 7, 2026.
According to Ojeifo, 82 cases were confirmed, resulting in 15 deaths, adding that the fatalities were recorded in five of the state’s 18 local government areas.
Breaking down the grim toll by locality, Ojeifo revealed that Etsako West emerged as the hardest-hit area with 54 confirmed cases and eight fatalities; Esan West recorded 11 cases and three deaths; Akoko-Edo recorded four cases and two deaths; Etsako Central recorded two cases and one death; w
He also disclosed that the state’s proactive medical response has kept recent, isolated cases of Monkeypox and Dengue fever completely non-fatal, but lamented there is a starkly different reality for Lassa fever with recent fatalities stemming primarily from patients waiting too long to seek medical diagnosis and treatment.
To combat this trend, Ojeifo reassured anxious residents that the state government has made adequate preparations by heavily reinforcing treatment capabilities and resource allocation at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
Speaking on the state’s preparedness, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Paul Eighemhenrio, announced that the recent review aims to significantly upgrade public health emergency capabilities.
He highlighted that robust emergency response systems remain essential for halting outbreaks, reinforcing the state government’s ongoing pledge to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and safeguard citizens.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, endemic to West Africa. It is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with the urine or feces of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis). While about 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic, severe cases can cause multi-organ failure and bleeding.
