Edo State Declares Dengue Fever Outbreak, Confirms 86 Cases

The Edo State Government has officially declared a dengue fever outbreak following a surge in confirmed cases across multiple local government areas.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, during a press briefing in Benin City, the state capital. He revealed that 86 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed so far, adding that while the exact number of related deaths is still being verified, the trend is alarming and demands urgent collective action.

“We have confirmed 86 cases of dengue fever across several LGAs. While the number of deaths is still under verification, the trend is worrisome and calls for decisive, collective action,” Dr. Oshiomhole said.

In addition to the dengue update, the Commissioner also provided data on other infectious diseases in the state. According to him, 137 cases of Lassa Fever have been recorded, resulting in 24 deaths. There have also been two confirmed cases of Yellow Fever with one death, eight cases of Mpox, and eight confirmed cases of Diphtheria, leading to three fatalities.

To coordinate the state’s emergency response, Dr. Ojeifo Stephenson, Director of Public Health, has been appointed as Incident Manager.

“The Ministry of Health has activated the Emergency Operations Centre and is implementing a comprehensive dengue response plan,” Oshiomhole added. The strategy includes surveillance, case management, vector control, public awareness campaigns, and environmental sanitation in all affected areas.

The state government is urging residents to take precautionary measures, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and report any symptoms such as high fever, joint pain, or rashes to the nearest health facility.