Two suspected Lassa fever patients under watch in Kano

• WHO commends govt’s prevention strategies
AT least two suspected carriers of Lassa fever are at present under watch in Kano, the state Commissioner for Health Dr. Kabir Getso has confirmed.

Also, the commissioner hinted that after 21 days of intensive examination about 300 contact persons placed under clinical diagnosis have been certified free of the deadly virus.

The first case of Lassa fever outbreak in Kano was reported on December 14th, 2015 at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Two victims, a man and his son from Garun Malam local council died after contracting the virus.

The state recorded the third case of a young businessman from Dawakin Kudu local council on 29th February. The victim was said to have travelled from Benue to Kano before he died.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the commissioner said since the outbreak of the virus in the country, the ministry has put all measures in place to control the spread.

Although Kabir admitted that the cosmopolitan nature of Kano has placed more responsibility on the ministry to combat infectious diseases such as Lassa fever, he assured of government’s renewed efforts to combat the virus.

Kabiru said: “Since the beginning of this outbreak, the state government through the Ministry of Health instituted several control measures to combat the outbreak. These measures include setting up of rapid response team, a team that will respond and investigate any rumoured case, establish the case and report to emergency operation centre charged with the responsibility of coordinating the daily response on the virus for follow up.

“Government has also inaugurated state committee on the control of Lassa fever. The committee will oversee and guide government efforts in ending the current outbreak. Also, government has equipped the Yargaya isolation and treatment centre for treatment of cases.

In a related development, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has distributed equipment to combat Lassa fever in Kano, commending the state government’s efforts at preventing the menace.

The Team Leader of WHO in Kano, Dr. Bashir Abba, presented the materials to the Commissioner for Health at the premises of the ministry in Kano.
“Kano State’s performance is outstanding in the fight against Lassa fever in the county. So we need to show our happiness and commendation in the way possible for us,” he explained.

He added that, “WHO finds it necessary to support Kano, so that the state can do more.”
The equipment include 100 pieces of personal protection equipment, 25 disposable surgical gowns and industrial gloves.