A recent resurgence of Lassa fever has resulted in four fatalities at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, as confirmed by Governor Uba Sani.
Following the alarming discovery, Governor Sani swiftly instructed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to launch a comprehensive investigation into the outbreak on February 20, 2024. A surveillance team was promptly deployed to assess the situation and implement containment measures in coordination with the hospital management.
With symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, sore throat, muscle and chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, Lassa fever has claimed four lives within the hospital premises. Three additional patients with similar symptoms are currently under medical care.
The state health ministry, along with hospital authorities, is working diligently to control the situation. The identification and close monitoring of individuals who had contact with the infected individuals are underway, with urgent medical attention provided as necessary.
Samples have been meticulously collected from contacts and dispatched to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control laboratory for confirmation. Additionally, stringent infection prevention and control measures have been enforced at the facility, which remains closed to the public until the outbreak is fully contained.
The public has been urged to uphold proper food and environmental hygiene, while remaining vigilant to promptly report any suspected cases of Lassa fever to the nearest health facility. Furthermore, the Kaduna State Ministry of Health has been directed to enhance surveillance across the state in collaboration with local government health departments.
