The Edo State Government has officially declared a dengue fever outbreak, confirming 86 cases across several local government areas. While the number of deaths is still under verification, the trend has raised significant concern.

During a press conference in Benin City, the state’s capital, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, the Commissioner for Health, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He announced the appointment of Dr. Ojeifo Stephenson, the Director of Public Health, as the Incident Manager to coordinate and lead the response to this outbreak. The Ministry of Health has activated the Emergency Operations Centre and is rolling out a statewide dengue response plan, which includes surveillance, case management, vector control, risk communication, and environmental sanitation across all affected LGAs. 

Dengue fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which breed in clean, standing water and are most active during early morning and late afternoon hours. The state’s health officials are urging residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from mosquito bites.