By Ayomide Otitoju
The Edo State Government has officially declared a dengue fever outbreak, with 86 confirmed cases across several local government areas, Commissioner for Health Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole announced at a press briefing in Benin City on Friday.
“While the number of deaths is under verification, the trend is worrisome and requires decisive, collective action,” Oshiomhole stated.
To coordinate the outbreak response, the state has appointed Dr. Ojeifo Stephenson, Director of Public Health, as Incident Manager. The Health Ministry has activated an Emergency Operations Centre and rolled out a response plan, including vector control, risk communication, case management, and sanitation.
Residents have been urged to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from bites, as dengue is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which thrive in clean, stagnant water.
Edo has also recorded 137 Lassa Fever cases with 24 deaths, two Yellow Fever cases with one fatality, eight Mpox infections, and eight diphtheria cases resulting in three deaths.
Oshiomhole called on residents to remain calm but vigilant, emphasizing that the fight against dengue requires community involvement. “Government cannot do it alone. Your homes and workplaces are frontline battlegrounds,” he said.
