Kano Confirms Lassa Fever Case, Activates Surveillance, Response Measures
Hussaini Ibrahim 
KANO, Nigeria – The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever in the state and activated emergency response measures to contain the spread of the viral disease.
The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, disclosed this in a public health advisory issued on Thursday stating that the agency had intensified surveillance and initiated contact tracing following the confirmed case.
Lassa Fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, commonly transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine, saliva, blood, or faeces of infected rodents, particularly the multimammate rat.
According to KNCDC, rapid response mechanisms have been activated across the state to track and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. Authorities said contact tracing and line-listing of identified contacts are already underway to ensure effective containment.
Health officials warned that the early symptoms of Lassa Fever often resemble malaria or other common illnesses. These symptoms include fever, headache, general body weakness, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest pain, and muscle aches.
In severe cases, bleeding from the nose, mouth, eyes, ears, or other body openings may occur.
The agency urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms consistent with the disease and cautioned against self-medication, stressing that early treatment significantly improves survival chances.
Recommended precautions include maintaining clean homes and surroundings, storing food items in tightly sealed containers, avoiding the drying of food in open spaces such as roadsides, blocking holes in walls and roofs that could allow rodents to enter homes, and ensuring proper waste disposal.
“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has provided the Kano State Centre for Disease Control with sufficient drugs and medical consumables to effectively respond to the situation,” he said.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Koko Maxwella 
Oluwatobi Adu