2025 Lassa Fever Outbreak: Esan Central Chairman, Receives RRT
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
Following the efforts by the Federal and Edo state governments in curtailing the spread of Lassa Fever Outbreak, the Chairman, Esan Central Local Government, ECLG, area Irrua, today, Friday 31st January 2025, received in audience, the members of Lassa Fever Rapid Response Team, RRT, made up of members of the Edo State Rapid Response as well as members of the National Rapid Response Team from the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC.
Speaking on the purpose of their visit, Dr. Blessing Osas Aideyan, Edo state Epidemiologist and Team Lead of the RRT, deployed to support the outbreak response in Esan Central Local Government Area, said; "We are currently responding to the 2025 Lassa fever outbreak especially in the high burden LGAs in the State.
"We are here in Esan Central Local Government Area, to donate some Lassa fever response commodities to Esan Central LGA to help support the local government in the ongoing response to Lassa fever outbreak, and also use the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to the Hon. Chairman, to thank him and his LGA team on the fight against Lassa fever, and solicit his continued support for Lassa fever control in Esan Central local government area".
Dr. Aideyan, who also revealed that, Esan Central has three cases of Lassa fever since this 2025 epidemiological year, which is three, out of the 68 confirmed cases in this 2025 epi year,
also added that; "this currently placed Esan Central in 4th position of the 11 LGAs that has had at least one confirmed case in the State.
"We want every local government area in Edo state, including Esan Central, to be having zero case; because, we consider the current 3 cases as a high number". Dr. Aideyan concluded.
Responding, Rt. Hon. Kelvin Iyere, Chairman, Esan Central Local Government Area, who thanked the team for their visit, described the job of the team, as "a noble job", said; "...I must thank you for your efforts.
Continuing, the Chairman said; "...I want to also use this opportunity to let you know that, our Governor, Senator Governor Monday Okpebholo, is one person that is very passionate about the well-being of the people, even before he became the governor of Edo state. As such, I am confident that he will support what it takes to achieve zero percent patient of the Lassa Fever in Edo state.
It will be recalled that, the Institute of Lassa Fever, in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, ISTH, Irrua, is a centre of excellence in the treatment and control of Lassa Fever in Nigeria.