By Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Epidemiological services has confirmed two cases of lassa fever out of 12 suspected cases from January to date.
The stte’s Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Assad Hassan, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with The AUTHORIRY in Birnin Kebbi.
Hassan said that “the two patients are from Kalgo and Birnin Kebbi Local Government Areas respectively, while nine of them tested negative and one still awaiting for the result. We will quickly quarantine anyone who shows any symptoms of the disease, to avoid further spread .
”There is no cause for alarm as the disease is curable and the state government has provided all the necessary support to all Hospitals for effective service delivery.
“The disease had been spread by rats as a result of poor hygienic practices and it is relevant for residents to pay more attention to personal hygiene and environmental sanitation,” he said
The epidemiologist further asked people to ensure they always visit the nearest health centres in case of any symptom not only lassa fever.
”I am calling on the people to remain alert especially reporting of suspected parson and symptoms of Lassa fever ”, he added.
He advised people to desist from eating rodents as they are one of the major causes of the virus, saying that enlightenment teams had been providing preventive and spread measures against the disease.
Hassan warned households against poor display and disposal of food remnants as well as ensure hygienic kitchen and clean utensils.
