1 Dead, 2 More Cases Confirmed As Lassa Fever Hits Kano

Kano State has confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever following the death of a patient from the viral disease.

Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas of the Kano Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) disclosed that one woman has died, while two more cases have been confirmed so far.

He said the index case involved a French national working with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), who fell ill in Kano and sought medical attention.

“We were alerted by doctors who treated her of the suspected case after her passing. After testing, we confirmed she had Lassa fever, so we quickly began contact tracing and traced another case to a doctor who interacted with her in Minjibir LGA. We quickly isolated him,” Abbas said.

Professor Abbas further revealed that following the confirmation, the centre activated contact tracing measures across affected areas. “62 contacts of people who interacted with the deceased and the doctor were traced across five local government areas, with 25 classified as high-risk.

“Out of those tested, 22 returned negative results, while three were confirmed positive. One of the confirmed cases has died, while two patients are currently in isolation receiving treatment.”

Officials believed the outbreak may have originated from Minjibir Local Government Area of the State, prompting collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Environment to intensify rodent control measures.

“We strongly believe the case originated from Minjibir, which is why we are liaising with the Ministry of Environment so we can eradicate the rats in the area, who are the main carriers of the disease,” Professor Abbas said.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents.

Authorities have urged residents to report any suspected symptoms to the KNCDC or the nearest health facility for prompt investigation and treatment.