The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has issued a health alert on the beginning of the Lassa Fever season and the possible risk of transmission across the country.
The Director-General of the Centre, Dr Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the warning became necessary following a national advisory received from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Dr Abbas disclosed that the NCDC notice highlighted a likely rise in Lassa Fever transmission between October and May.
He noted that with Kano’s ecological and environmental setup, the state faces a high risk of outbreaks and therefore urged residents to uphold good hygiene and comply with preventive measures.
The advisory urged citizens to maintain clean surroundings, store food properly in sealed containers, and seal off all possible rodent entry points.
He further advised individuals with persistent fever or related symptoms to visit the nearest health facility immediately.
Meanwhile, a statement released on Sunday said the Kano State Government has activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) for Lassa Fever response as a preventive step.
The DG also mentioned that the centre has started pre-positioning critical medical resources, including personal protective equipment (PPE), antiviral drugs, and health worker training on case management and infection control.
“Community sensitisation campaigns and rodent control exercises are also ongoing in high-risk local government areas as part of the state’s ‘One Health’ response strategy, which integrates environmental and agricultural sectors.
“The KNCDC appealed to residents to report any suspected case promptly through designated surveillance channels rather than attempting home treatment,” the statement said.
Dr Abbas assured that Lassa Fever is preventable and treatable when detected early, adding that together, we can keep Kano State free from Lassa Fever this season.
Lassa Fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease, spreads through contact with food, water, or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents.
Studies revealed that person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with the blood or body fluids of infected persons.
Common symptoms include fever that does not respond to treatment, sore throat, chest or abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding from any part of the body. Early diagnosis and treatment, health authorities say, significantly improve chances of recovery.
