Lassa Fever claims 1 life in Jigawa State
The Jigawa State Ministry of Health, has confirmed the death of one person following suspected Lassa Fever outbreak in Babura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Suleman Daudu, Information Officer, Babura LGA, stated this in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Jigawa State Rapid Response Team from the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health has visited Babura General Hospital to investigate a suspected case of Lassa fever and to put in place preventive measures to stop further transmission.
“Speaking during the visit, the WHO/APHO, Dr. Sabiu Aliyu, who led the team, said the deceased was a resident of Gari Uku Village in Babura LGA,” he said.
Daudu quoted the team leader as saying that the deceased was admitted at Babura General Hospital with symptoms of Lassa Fever and was later referred to Danmasara Teaching Hospital, where laboratory tests confirmed the disease.
“Dr. Sabiu Aliyu added that investigations revealed that the deceased, Habibu Haruna, had recently travelled to Saminaka, Lere LGA of Kaduna State.
“He stated that essential drugs and personal protective equipment (PPE) had been supplied to Babura General Hospital, while contact tracing and surveillance had commenced,”
He said that the team had already placed the community and the health personnel who handled the case under surveillance for the incubation period to prevent spread of the disease.
