Lassa Fever: Katsina Govt Confirms 2 Cases, 1 Death.

Two cases of Lassa fever were confirmed today, in Katsina State, in which one out of the two patients who tested positive, died on admission.

The remaining victim is still on admission, and under intensive medical attention, says the state Government.

Dr Shamsudeen ,The Executive Director of the State’s Primary Health Care Development Agency, PHCDA, told newsmen in his office in Katsina, during an update on the epidemic, that 7 samples were collected by the agency, 4 were reported negative, one is still pending for confirmation, and 2 confirmed positive

He further disclosed that the victim who died was 26-years of age with 3 months old pregnancy, while the other one with a positive case is a 60-year-old relation of the dead.

He said “the pregnant woman died on Sunday, while the other is alive and responding to treatment; there were plans to take the one that is alive to an isolation center in Katsina,

“the pregnant woman was vomiting, bleeding and the pregnancy was aborted just before she died.’’

He maintained that the history of the travel of the victims indicated that they came into Katsina from Bauchi State.

He revealed that the 4 cases of the virus were transferred from Bauchi to Kusada Local government area of the state where they reported to the comprehensive General hospital in Kusada complaining of feverish conditions and were under thorough medical examinations.

He advised the citizens of the state to cultivate the habit of cleanliness that is (personal hygiene) including covering their foods, washing their hands and called on health workers to maintain high level of professionalism, report noticed cases for further necessary actions

He promised that the agency will widen the net on the management of the epidemic, supervising burial rites of victims, provision of body bags for health workers and ensuring decontamination with the corpses of Lassa victims.