Kwara Govt Debunks Lassa Fever Death Claim at NYSC Camp

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 government made the clarification on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Saad Hamdalat, following an investigation carried out by the state’s Rapid Response Team.
According to the statement, the investigation was led by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Kamaldeen Khadeejah, after a social media post on Sunday, February 8, 2026, claimed that a corps member had died from suspected Lassa fever at the camp.
Findings from field investigations and a retrospective active case search, however, revealed no evidence of Lassa fever infection or transmission within the NYSC camp.
The government stated that no suspected or confirmed cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were recorded among corps members or camp officials.
Dr Kamaldeen noted that although the current public health risk was considered low, surveillance activities at the camp had been intensified as a precaution.
“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 conducted 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 practices,” Kamaldeen explained.
The epidemiologist urged members of 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 viral post had a pre-existing chronic illness.
He explained that camp officials contacted the parent of the corps member, who took her to an external health facility on February 1, 2026.
According to Onifade, 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,” he said.
He added that the investigation found no evidence of Lassa fever transmission at the camp, noting the absence of clusters of febrile illness or symptoms suggestive of the disease among corps members.
Also speaking, the Environmental Health Officer, Adamu Kabiru, advised that sanitation and rodent control measures be strengthened to minimise public health risks.
He emphasised the need for proper environmental sanitation, adequate provision of sanitary dustbins, and discouraging 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 ensuring food items are properly stored in covered containers.