Lassa fever: Expert calls for action, provides solutions as disease hits Kano, other states

A consultant clinical microbiologist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dr. Usman Yahaya Umar, has urged Kano residents to take preventive measures after confirmed cases of Lassa fever in Kano.

The current situation has continued to raise concerns over public health safety in the state.

DAILY POST recalls that two confirmed cases have been reported at the AKTH. One of the patients has died.

Lassa fever endemic in West Africa

Dr. Umar explained that Lassa fever is a viral disease endemic in several West African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone. He said the disease was first identified in 1969 in the town of Lassa, which is now part of present-day Borno State in Nigeria.

Diagnosis and testing for Lassa fever

To diagnose Lassa fever, Umar stated that healthcare providers need to test body fluids for the virus. He highlighted the main tests used to confirm the presence of Lassa fever, which include blood tests and others

“These diagnostic tests are crucial for identifying the virus in the early stages, which can lead to better outcomes with prompt treatment,”; he explained.

Treatment options for Lassa fever patients

The treatment for Lassa fever typically includes the antiviral medication ribavirin, Umar noted. He said depending on the severity of the case, additional treatments might be necessary, such as intravenous fluids, medications, or blood transfusions.

He stressed the importance of early intervention to minimize the impact of the disease on affected individuals.

Preventive measures for households and farming communities

Umar emphasized the need for preventive actions, especially in farming communities and households.

He advised residents to focus on cleanliness and proper food storage to limit the risk of exposure to rodents, which are often the primary carriers of the virus. He recommended keeping of kitchens and food areas clean, covering food and storing it properly, regular handwashing, using rat poison to control rodent populations, and keeping cats as pets, as they are natural predators of rodents.

He added that; ” People should seal all unnecessary holes and openings in their homes as well.”

Contact tracing and measures underway at AKTH

In light of the confirmed Lassa fever case at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, the doctor assured the public that contact tracing has already begun.

He emphasized that health authorities are taking all necessary steps to prevent further spread.

“We are actively working to trace contacts and have implemented additional precautions to contain the situation,”; he added.

Dr. Umar emphasized that there is no need to panic, as experts are on top of their game to forestall the spread of Lassa fever in Kano.