By Femi Bade
Kwara State authorities have dismissed social media rumours alleging Lassa fever deaths at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp.
The State Rapid Response Team (RRT), led by State Epidemiologist Dr. Kamaldeen Khadeejah, confirmed that no cases of Lassa fever were detected among corps members or camp officials following a thorough field investigation and active case search.
Dr. Khadeejah stressed that public health risk remains low, but the state has intensified surveillance, strengthened infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, and educated corps members and health workers on early detection, symptoms, and prevention of Lassa fever.
NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Olaoluwa Onifade, clarified that the corps member referenced in the viral post had a pre-existing chronic illness and was taken to an external facility, where she later passed away on February 7, 2026. No laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever was recorded, and there was no evidence of disease transmission within the camp.
Health officials also emphasised the importance of environmental sanitation, rodent control, and food safety as preventive measures, urging the public to rely on verified government sources for information.
This confirmation seeks to reassure residents and corps members of the state’s proactive health monitoring and commitment to preventing infectious disease outbreaks.
