Lassa Fever: Kwara dismisses death claims at NYSC camp

by · The Eagle Online

The Kwara State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that a corps member died of Lassa fever at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in the state.

The clarification was issued on Tuesday in a statement by the Ministry of Health’s Press Secretary, Saad Hamdalat, following an investigation by the state’s Rapid Response Team.

According to the statement, the probe was led by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Kamaldeen Khadeejah, after a social media post on Sunday claimed that a corps member died from suspected Lassa fever at the camp.

The government said findings from field investigations and a retrospective active case search showed no evidence of Lassa fever infection or transmission within the NYSC camp.

It added that no suspected or confirmed cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were recorded among corps members or camp officials.

Although no case was found, Kamaldeen said surveillance had been intensified as a precautionary step.

“Although the current public health risk is considered low, surveillance activities have been strengthened at the camp to ensure early detection and prompt response to any suspected illness,” she said.

She added that the Rapid Response Team carried out supportive supervision at the camp clinic and reinforced infection prevention and control measures.

“Health workers and corps members were sensitised on the symptoms of Lassa fever, early reporting, and preventive measures,” she said.

The epidemiologist urged the public to disregard unverified social media reports and rely on information from official government sources.

Providing further clarification, the NYSC State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Onifade, said the corps member referenced in the social media post had a pre-existing chronic illness.

He explained that the camp management invited the parent of the corps member, who took her to an external health facility on February 1, 2026.

According to him, the corps member later died on February 7, 2026, outside the camp environment.

“No laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever has been reported to the Rapid Response Team as of the time of the investigation.

“The investigation found no evidence of Lassa fever transmission within the NYSC camp, as there were no clusters of febrile illness or symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever among corps members,” Onifade said.

Also speaking, Environmental Health Officer Adamu Kabiru advised that sanitation and rodent control measures be strengthened to reduce public health risks.

He stressed the need for proper environmental sanitation, provision of sanitary dustbins, and discouragement of bush burning around residential areas.

Similarly, the State Health Promotion Officer, Jubril Abdul Kareem, educated corps members on Lassa fever symptoms, including body pain, headache, restlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, and sore throat.

He also highlighted preventive measures such as avoiding contact with rats and storing food in covered containers.

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