A 25-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), has reportedly died of Lassa fever at a secondary health facility in ljebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker confirmed this in a statement after declaring the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state on Tuesday, March 25^th, 2025.

Coker said the hemorrhagic viral fever recently claimed the life of a 25-year-old female National Youth Service Corp member who fell sick in Ondo and was brought to one of the state’s secondary health facilities in the Ijebu North Local Government where she died.

“Ogun State has confirmed a case of Lassa fever and as such declared Lassa fever outbreak. The index case is a 25-year-old female National Youth Corps member who fell sick while in Ondo State and was brought to one of our secondary health facilities in Ijebu North LGA on 18th March 2025 and later died the same day.”

The State Commissioner for Health listed the symptoms of this viral fever to include high-grade fever, headache, general body weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain and unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.

Coker urged members of the community to promptly report to the hospital if they noticed any of Lassa fever symptoms.

“Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever!

“We implore all health facilities in Ogun State, public and private, to step up infection prevention and control measures and encourage compliance by all health facility staff.

“Healthcare workers that suspect Lassa fever in a patient are advised to call their local government disease surveillance and notification officer.

She explained further the commitment of the state to its residents: “The Ogun State Government remains dedicated to protecting the health of her citizens through continuous surveillance and prompt response to infectious diseases.

“The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team at ljebu North East is keeping the situation under control with enhanced surveillance and community engagement and mobilization for effective response.” Coker assured