The Bauchi State Government has reported an alarming record of Lassa Fever in 2021.
The State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency said 153 suspected cases were recorded from January to December 2021.
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Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the Agency disclosed this on Sunday.
During his chat with newsmen, he revealed that these cases were recorded in six local government areas.
The affected areas are:
Dr Mohammed revealed that six suspected cases are currently on admission. He added that 21 confirmed cases were recorded.
The Executive Secretary said the agency is working assiduously to contain the virus. He said the agency had embarked on contact tracing and surveillance. The surveillance teams have been deployed across the state to enhance rapid response.
In his final note, he advised clean environment, good sanitation and personal hygiene. This he said would protect the people against the deadly disease.
Meanwhile, a pregnant woman and a medical doctor have died from the fatal Lassa fever.
The director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Professor Ifedayo
Morayo Adetifa said this in a statement.
The statement read:
“On the 8th of December 2021, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of the death of two persons from Lassa fever. The first case was a pregnant woman who presented in a health facility in Nasarawa State and the next one, a medical doctor involved in the management of the patient that later sought medical care in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
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Meanwhile, another medical doctor linked to the case is currently receiving treatment in FCT.
“The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health with support of NCDC has commenced an in-depth epidemiological investigation of the cases to understand the possible source of infection and the extent of spread of the disease. Contact tracing of all the close contacts of the patients has commenced.”
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What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is a chronic viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans from rodents. Rodents transmit this illness by contaminating human foods. It can also be transmitted from person to person.
Haemorrhagic illnesses are also known as excessive bleeding illnesses.
Symptoms of Lassa Fever
The symptoms of Lassa fever include:
Severe symptoms
In 2021, the NCDC reported a total of 434 cases of Lassa fever. 80 deaths were also recorded in 16 states and 63 Local Government areas.
Source: The Cable News
