LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Health authorities in Katsina State has reported a fresh Lassa fever infection, increasing the state’s confirmed cases to three, with two deaths reported recently, highlighting a deadlier outbreak pattern and shifting geographical spread across Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with The Punch, a Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the state’s Federal Teaching Hospital, Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday confirmed that the latest patient, a female whose husband died from the virus is receiving treatment at the hospital’s isolation center and is reportedly responding well.
“As I’m talking to you now, in Katsina State, three cases have been confirmed. Two died. One was from Kafur, the other one was from Funtua. The third case is currently with us here in this isolation centre… she’s recuperating well… and responding to treatment,” he noted, commending the hospital’s emergency response committee for swiftly isolating the patient to prevent further spread.
The consultant, who also serves as Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Katsina State, warned of a concerning shift in the outbreak’s severity and pattern.
“Previously, the fatality rate ranged between 10 and 30 percent, but this year, nearly one in four infected persons is dying,” he said.
From January to date, Nigeria has recorded over 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases nationwide, with approximately 145 deaths. Unlike previous outbreaks concentrated in the North-East and parts of the South-South, more than 90 percent of current infections are reported in five frontline states, including Benue State, Ondo State, Taraba State, Edo State, and Plateau State.
“This shift may not be unconnected with climate change, insecurity, displacement of communities, poor hygiene and increased movement of rodents into homes,” Abubakar explained.
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He urged health workers to approach every case of fever with caution and to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rigorously. The consultant also identified the multimammate rat, a small rodent with multiple mammary glands as the primary carrier of the virus.
Therefore, residents are advised to prevent rodent access to homes and discourage children from hunting rats, as contact with contaminated urine or droppings is a leading mode of transmission.
Notably, Abubakar praised the Katsina State Government and health authorities for providing essential drugs and support, while highlighting delays in laboratory testing as a challenge. He emphasized the importance of rapid PCR results for timely treatment.
“The Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Agency, the Incident Manager, the State Epidemiologist and the Commissioner have all been supportive in ensuring that drugs and other assistance reach us on time,” he said.
Lassa fever is a severe viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of West Africa, caused by the Lassa virus. Infection typically occurs through contact with food or household items contaminated by Mastomys rat urine or feces. Similar to malaria in its early stages, symptoms include fever, general weakness, headache, and sore throat, while severe cases may involve bleeding, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and shock.
The current outbreak further highlights the urgent need for heightened public awareness, early detection, and preventive measures to contain the disease and reduce fatalities across affected states.
