Ondo State has reported 12 deaths from Lassa fever, with 112 confirmed cases and 353 suspected infections. This was disclosed by the Acting Statistician-General of Ondo State, Olusola Ajayi, who emphasized the urgency of taking action to curb the spread of the disease. Ajayi urged collaboration between the Ondo State Waste Management Authority and health stakeholders to ensure a cleaner environment, which is crucial in reducing the disease’s transmission.

The state’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, confirmed that nearly 400 suspected cases have been recorded since the latest outbreak. He highlighted the establishment of a new Lassa fever diagnostic center, supported by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), as a key step in improving detection and treatment efforts. Despite the fatalities, the state government is working tirelessly to reduce deaths and improve case management.