In a statement released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Health’s Press Secretary, Saad Hamdalat, the government said a probe by the state’s Rapid Response Team found no evidence of Lassa fever infection or transmission within the camp.
The investigation was led by the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Kamaldeen Khadeejah, following a viral social media post on Sunday, February 8, 2026, which claimed a corps member had died from suspected Lassa fever at the camp.
The government stated that field investigations and a retrospective active case search showed no suspected or confirmed cases of viral haemorrhagic fever among corps members or camp officials.
Although the public health risk is considered low, Dr. Khadeejah said surveillance at the camp has been intensified as a precautionary measure.
“Surveillance activities have been strengthened at the camp to ensure early detection and prompt response to any suspected illness,” she said.
The Rapid Response Team also conducted supportive supervision at the camp clinic and reinforced infection prevention and control practices. Health workers and corps members were sensitised on Lassa fever symptoms, early reporting, and preventive measures.
Dr. Khadeejah urged the public to disregard unverified reports on social media and rely only on official government updates.
NYSC Clarifies Cause of Death
The NYSC State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Onifade, further clarified that the corps member referenced in the post had a pre-existing chronic illness. He explained that the camp management invited the corps member’s parent, who took her to an external health facility on February 1, 2026, and she later died on February 7, 2026, outside the camp.
“No laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever has been reported to the Rapid Response Team as of the time of the investigation,” Onifade stated.
He added that the investigation found no evidence of Lassa fever transmission within the camp, noting that there were no clusters of febrile illness or symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever among corps members.
Public Health Advice on Sanitation and Prevention
Environmental Health Officer Adamu Kabiru advised that sanitation and rodent control measures be strengthened to reduce public health risks. He emphasised proper environmental sanitation, provision of sanitary dustbins, and discouraging bush burning around residential areas.
The State Health Promotion Officer, Jubril Abdul Kareem, also educated corps members on Lassa fever symptoms—including body pain, headache, restlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, and sore throat—and urged preventive practices such as avoiding contact with rats and storing food in covered containers.