In Benin City, Dr. Stephenson Ojeifo, the Director of Public Health at the Edo State Ministry of Health, made this revelation in response to social media posts that claimed Governor Monday Okpebholo was failing to adequately address the illness. Remember, the state administration reported 13 deaths from the sickness in February 2025.
Ojeifo stated: “As of today, Edo State has recorded over 1,000 cases of Lassa fever. Out of these, 103 tested positive. From the 103 positive cases, we have recorded 15 deaths, while others have been treated and discharged.”
Eleven suspected instances of Mpox have been reported, five of which have been confirmed to be positive, according to the State Director of Public Health. He did, however, note that since the patients came in early for treatment, there have been no reported Mpox-related deaths.
Speaking further on Lassa fever, he praised Governor Okpebholo for putting in place robust contact-tracing and surveillance systems and for backing all efforts to keep the outbreak under control in the state.
He pointed out that the fatality rate is mostly caused by patients who are referred or present at treatment facilities later than expected. He claims that only when a patient’s illness has significantly worsened are they frequently referred to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, or ISTH.
According to Ojeifo, the state has been educating people about the value of going to the hospital when a fever persists and does not go away so that samples may be taken and, if required, medication can be given.
He asked clinicians not to postpone sending patients to the proper designated facility, expressing worry that they are delaying referrals of patients with suspected illnesses to treatment centers.
Additionally, he cautioned that since ISTH is the designated center for handling cases of Lassa fever, any institution discovered to be unlawfully treating patients will be subject to repercussions.
