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Ondo warns against lassa fever spread

By Kemi Olatunde

The Chairman of Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board (HMB), Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, has called on residents to take urgent precautions to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

Dr. Fasoranti, in an interview with Weekend Hope in Akure on Thursday, advised the public to embrace food containerisation, maintain a clean environment, and avoid consuming rats, especially the multimammate mouse, which is the main carrier of the virus.

He also urged health professionals to wear protective gear, such as masks and gloves, and ensure that medical equipment is properly sterilised when treating Lassa fever patients.

According to him, the fever is caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted by rodents that breed quickly and carry the virus in their urine and droppings. These rodents often infest areas where food supplies are kept.

Dr. Fasoranti explained that the Lassa fever epidemic, which occurs annually in Nigeria, is mainly spread through exposure to fluids or droppings from infected rodents.

Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact with the body fluids of infected individuals.

He listed the common symptoms of Lassa fever to include slight fever, tiredness, headache, bleeding, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, facial swelling, and pain in the chest, back, and abdomen.

The HMB Chairman further emphasised that increasing public awareness is crucial in improving adherence to preventive measures.

He urged residents to avoid indiscriminate bush burning, which could force rats into their homes, and to seek medical attention at health facilities if they fall ill.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a sharp increase in new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in week 2 of 2025, with 89 cases recorded, up from 54 in the previous week. These cases have been reported in Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kogi, and Ebonyi states.

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The NCDC also revealed that seven states have recorded confirmed Lassa fever cases across 32 local government areas. A total of 77 percent of the confirmed cases have been reported in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, with Ondo accounting for 38 percent, Edo 22 percent, and Bauchi 17 percent. The remaining 23 percent of cases were reported from four other states.

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Ondo warns against lassa fever spread

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