The recent outbreak of Lassa fever in Kano State has resulted in the deaths of three individuals, whilst 292 persons who had contact with the late victims are on the state’s health watch list.
Kano’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, confirmed the outbreak during a press conference on Wednesday January 22, revealing that two doctors and a patient believed to be the first victim had succumbed to the disease.
Dr. Tsanyawa further divulged that thorough monitoring of the 292 individuals who had contact with the late victims is ongoing, with the aim to swiftly quarantine those displaying symptoms of the disease and prevent its spread.
The first victim of the recent outbreak in the state was a 28-year-old pregnant woman from Gwale LGA. She fell sick two weeks after her mother’s demise and was referred to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital from a private hospital, where she passed away on January 1, 2020.
The public has been urged to refrain from consuming poorly cooked meat, avoid contact with suspected or confirmed cases, or items soiled by them, and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.