One Confirmed Dead, 20 Health Workers Isolated As Lassa Fever Hits Kano

Kano state government has confirmed four cases of Lassa Fever outbreak in the state with the index case dead.

Besides, 20 health workers of Aminu Kano teaching hospital, (AKTH) who were said to have contact with the index case have been directed to proceed on isolation after their blood samples collected for test.

An official of the hospital had earlier confirmed the isolated case of a 22 year pregnant women who died few minutes after her arrival at the hospital. The suspect was brought form Garun-Mallam said to have infected with the deadly infection.

The official disclosed that emergency situation has compelled immediate response efforts of the management to commence contact tracing and precautionary screening of hospital staff and patients.

Responding to The Guardian inquiry on the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf told our correspondent via WhatsApp messenge that the state CDC has mobilised the Rapid Response Team to curtail the situation.

According to him, “We have assessed the situation. Only 1 person was confirmed, and we lost the other person. 3 others are being monitored despite befative lab. results.

“And we are line listing contacts. Antivirals, PPEs and Thermometers have been delivered to AKTH. 20 samples have been taken from AKTH staff and all have been asked to self-isolate. They were all Given Rivavirin.

“Our Rapid Response Team was at Kura General Hospital too. We have line listed all contacts and are been monitored for any signs and symptoms. They will be observed for 2 weeks. The primary contact of the woman at Garun Mallam has been isolated and given rivavirin. His sample have been taken. Results expected tomorrow”. Dr. Yusuf emphasized.

Similarly, a reliable source at AKTH hinted the hospital management has launched emergency protocols, screening of all individuals who may have had contact with the patient including the medical personnel and those with report cases of mild symptoms similar to malaria.

He added that some of the contacts of the confirmed case also reported symptoms that resemble malaria, which can mimic early signs of Lassa fever.

Nigeria has experienced a significant cases of Lassa fever in the last four months with 3,465 suspected cases and 645 confirmed cases reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

This resulted in 118 deaths, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8% in 91 Local Government Areas across 33 states.