LASSA FEVER CLAIMS TWO LIVES IN KATSINA
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Katsina State on Wednesday confirmed a new case of Lassa fever, raising the total number of infections in the state to three, including two fatalities.
Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, a consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, told our correspondent that the hospital is currently managing a female patient whose husband recently succumbed to the disease.
He added, “She is stable and responding to treatment,” while praising the hospital’s emergency response team for swiftly isolating the patient to curb further transmission and prevent public alarm.
Dr. Abubakar also expressed concern over a concerning change in the pattern and severity of the current Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, noting that the disease appears deadlier this year with a significant increase in fatalities among confirmed cases.
“While the fatality rate used to range between 10 and 30 percent, this year nearly one in four infected individuals is dying,” he revealed.
He cited data showing that from January to date, Nigeria has recorded over 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases, resulting in approximately 145 deaths nationwide.
Dr. Abubakar further explained that while past Lassa fever outbreaks were mainly concentrated in the North-East, particularly Borno and Yobe states, and parts of the South-South, especially Edo State, over 90 percent of current cases are now reported in five frontline states: Benue, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Plateau.
“This shift may be linked to climate change, insecurity, displacement of communities, poor hygiene, and increased rodent intrusion into homes,” he said.
He urged health workers to handle every case of fever cautiously and to adhere strictly to the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Identifying the multimammate rat—a small rodent with multiple mammary glands—as the primary carrier of the virus, he advised residents to take preventive measures to keep rodents out of their homes.
Dr. Abubakar also cautioned parents against allowing children to hunt rats, emphasizing that contact with urine or droppings of infected rodents remains a key mode of transmission.
The chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association called on the government to expedite laboratory testing, stressing, “PCR test results should be available within one to two days to ensure patients receive prompt treatment.”
He commended the Katsina State Government for its support, noting that the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Agency, the Incident Manager, the State Epidemiologist, and the Commissioner have all ensured timely provision of drugs and other assistance.
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