Kebbi confirms 6 Lassa fever cases, one death

The Kebbi state government on Sunday confirmed one death from six cases of Lassa fever in the state.

An epidemiologist at the state Ministry of Heath, Dr. Assad Hassan, who confirmed the number of Lassa fever cases in the state in Birnin Kebbi, said that the cases were recorded between February and April.

Dr. Hassan stated that four of the victims were from Birnin Kebbi while the remaining two were from Bunza Local Governmment Area of the state.

“The persons confirmed to be infected with the disease are between 23 to 65 years, and they include, four males and two females,’’ he said. According to him, one of the female patients was the one that died within hours of arrival at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi.

He said the blood sample taken from the deceased tested positive to Lassa fever, adding that “the medical doctor that attended to the deceased was also infected with the fever but has been treated and discharged from hospital.’’

The doctor further explained that the last confirmed case of lassa fever was on April 27 and refuted reports that two children had died last week as a result of the fever.

“In response to the outbreak, there has been continuous sensitization of healthcare workers on Lassa fever detection and infection, prevention and control measures within the hospital setting.

“Similarly, advocacy, social mobilization and community engagement have been carried out in all the 21 council areas of the state,’’ Hassan said.

The epidemiologist also advised communities to keep food and drinking water in rodent-proof containers and to also bring sick family members to the hospital early enough for treatment.