AKTH Workers, Others Test Negative For Lassa Fever In Kano

Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) staff who were screened following exposure to a confirmed Lassa fever case have tested negative, according to fresh details released by the hospital’s management on Saturday.

In a statement signed by the hospital’s Chief Information Officer, Maryam Aminu Usman, on behalf of the chairman of Medical Advisory Committee, Professor Muhammad Abba Suwaid, the tertiary hospital confirmed that more than 20 healthcare workers who had direct contact with the infected patient were isolated and tested, however, all of them tested negative.

“None of the health personnel who came into contact with the patient were infected,” the statement noted, adding that the outcome highlighted the professionalism and strict adherence to infection control protocols by AKTH staff.

The update comes days after a 22-year-old pregnant woman from Garun Mallam local government area of Kano State tested positive for Lassa fever after being admitted to the hospital on April 5, 2025.

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The hospital’s management said it acted swiftly by initiating internal safety protocols, isolating exposed staff, and working closely with the Kano State Epidemiology Unit to carry out contact tracing in the affected community.

According to the statement, all individuals identified through contact tracing have also tested negative, except for the patient’s husband, who has now tested positive and is currently under the care of the state’s epidemiology team.

Professor Suwaid emphasised that the hospital took all necessary precautions to curtail the spread of the disease within the facility and its surroundings, assuring the public that there was no immediate cause for concern.

“We commend our staff for their vigilance and commitment to safety. Their response helped prevent what could have been a wider outbreak,” the statement added.

The Kano State Ministry of Health, through its Epidemiology Unit, continues surveillance activities in Garun Mallam LGA and has urged residents to remain calm and report any suspicious symptoms.

Health authorities were encouraging the public to maintain good hygiene practices and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as fever, weakness, or bleeding occur.