By The Kano Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has confirmed one death and two new cases of Lassa fever in Kano State, heightening concerns over the spread of the viral disease.
The Director-General of the Centre, Prof. Mohammed Adamu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano. He revealed that the deceased was a staff member of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
According to him, the victim, a French national, arrived in Nigeria on January 28 and developed a fever about a week later. She reportedly sought medical attention and received treatment, but her condition worsened after three days, with symptoms including bleeding.
She was subsequently transferred to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), where she died the same day. Laboratory analysis later confirmed that she was infected with the Lassa fever virus.
Prof. Adamu further disclosed that two additional infections were recorded among individuals who had contact with the deceased — a medical doctor from Minjibir and another woman.
The doctor is currently receiving treatment at the Yargaya isolation centre, while the female patient has been isolated at AKTH for medical care.
“The two infected persons had contact with 62 individuals across five local government areas of the state. Of the 62, 25 were classified as high-risk contacts.
Blood samples were collected from them; 22 tested negative, while three tested positive — one of whom is the deceased, and two are presently in isolation,” he explained.
The KNCDC boss said the Centre promptly activated contact tracing and intensified surveillance to curb further spread of the disease. He assured residents that the situation has been brought under control.
As part of containment measures, health officials have been deployed to Minjibir to strengthen public awareness campaigns. The state Ministry of Environment is also set to fumigate affected areas to eliminate rodents, which are known carriers of the virus.
Residents have been urged to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and promptly report any suspected symptoms to health authorities to prevent further transmission.
