The Edo State Government has officially confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever, with 86 cases recorded across different parts of the state.
The disclosure was made on Friday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, during a press conference in Benin City. He noted that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to safeguarding public health and is actively responding to the situation.
To coordinate the response, Dr. Stephenson Ojiefoh, Director of Public Health, has been named incident manager. Oshiomhole said an Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, and a comprehensive plan has been rolled out. The strategy includes disease surveillance, clinical management, mosquito control, and environmental hygiene efforts in affected communities.
“All healthcare professionals across the state are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases immediately,” he urged.
Dengue fever, according to the commissioner, is a viral illness spread by Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti. The disease spreads rapidly in areas with poor waste disposal and stagnant water, which provide ideal breeding environments for the mosquitoes.
Oshiomhole encouraged residents to eliminate mosquito habitats by covering water storage containers, using insecticide-treated nets, applying mosquito repellents, and maintaining clean surroundings.
The press briefing was attended by officials from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the State Disease Surveillance team, Ministry of Health directors, and other relevant stakeholders.
Beyond dengue, Dr. Oshiomhole revealed that the state is battling several other disease outbreaks. So far, 137 confirmed cases and 24 deaths have been recorded from various illnesses.
He said Edo has reported two cases of yellow fever, resulting in one death; eight confirmed cases of monkeypox (Mpox) with no fatalities; and eight diphtheria infections, which have led to three deaths.
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