Lassa Fever Outbreak Hits Katsina
Lassa Fever Outbreak Hits Katsina
An outbreak of lassa fever epidemic has hit Katsina State, commissioner of Health, Mariya Bala Usman, has said.
Addressing newsmen, Tuesdays, Hajiya Usman said a 27 year old Architect (names witheld) has tested positive of the disease and is being treated at the isolation centre of National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Babbar Ruga in Katsina.
The health commissioner who was flanked by the state director of public health, Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya, said sample from the corpse of a person suspected to have died from the disease has also been taken to Lagos for confirmation.
She said at the moment, the state was awaiting the report of the blood sample before it could ascertain if it was lassa fever or not adding that the disease was imported to Katsina State from Kaduna State.
Also speaking, the Katsina State director of Public Health, Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya said so far, over 100 people are under surveillance just as 18 others who had contact with the victim have been quarantined.
Dr Yahaya who urged residents of the state not to panic said concerted efforts are being taken to contain the disease.
He said the state was collaborating with relevant stakeholders including Federal Ministry of Health, Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation.
