A serving National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member has been confirmed infected with Lassa fever in Adamawa State.

In confirming the infection, the state’s Ministry of Health and Human Services said the affected Corps member from Damare Orientation Camp tested positive to the disease.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Pharm Zirra Mathias Bubanani stated that the confirmation followed the release of an investigation on a sample taken from the NYSC member by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) Abuja.

The corps member, the statement added, was suspected to have presented symptoms similar to that of the fever (Lassa) by health workers in Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola.

The ministry while allaying the fears of the people, urged them to take precautionary measures by adhering to personal hygiene.

The statement added that the Governor Umaru Fintiri-led administration is working hard by partnering with all state health facilities and agencies, including non governmental organizations (NGOs) to prevent the spread of the disease.

“While contact tracing/isolations are going on, the general public are hereby as well advised to take necessary precautions by adhering to ensure good hygiene and sanitation habits, avoid unnecessary contacts, proper storage of left over foods and food items in order to prevent rats infestation, report to Health officers in your community those suspected to have manifested symptoms similar to those of Lassa fever,” the statement read in part.

The ministry further said that the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Bilishan Tangwami will on Monday address newsmen on the update.