Jigawa State Government has confirmed the death of one person as a result of Lassa fever outbreak in the state. 26 others persons who had contact with the decease were at present under surveillance.
Confirming the development, Commissioner of Health, Dr Abba Zakar, said the victim who resided at Gujubaki village in Dutse Local Government area of the state had just returned from Port Harcourt in Rivers State and reported to Dutse General Hospital with signs and symptoms suggestive to Lassa fever.
According to him, the patient’s blood sample was confirmed positive. The victim died later in the same day he reported to the hospital.
“Unfortunately, about a week ago, that was exactly on January 25, an 18 year old Safiyanu Usaini, from Gujubaki village in Dutse town, who had travelled to one of the infected states, specially Port Harcourt, reported to Dutse General Hospital,” Zakar.
Dr. Zakari said 26 persons were traced to have had contact with him before he died. They have now been put under surveillance by the ministry of health.
The commissioner noted that the state government had taken proactive measures before the discovery of the disease in the state.
