Bauchi records 22 Lassa fever deaths
A total of 22 persons died from the outbreak of Lassa fever in Bauchi State between January and March this year, according to the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHDA)
BSPHDA Deputy Director, Disease Control and Immunization, Haruna B. Wakili, made the disclosure in Bauchi at a one-day advocacy engagement meeting with traditional and religious leaders on prevention of infectious diseases, organised by Women Development Association for Self-Sustenance (WODASS) in collaboration with stakeholders in the water sanitation and hygiene WASH sector in the state with support from WaterAid Nigeria.
Wakili informed that within the period, 678 suspected Lassa fever cases were recorded in six local government areas of the state among persons between the ages of 20 and 29, while 95 cases were confirmed with 23.2 fatality rate
The BSPHDA deputy director informed that Tafawa Balewa; Kirfi; Bauchi; Dass; Alkaleri and Ganjuwa LGAs were the six local government areas where the disease was recorded in the state, adding that Kirfi LGA recorded the highest number of cases.
According to him, available data from the isolation centre for the disease showed that 18 persons were currently on admission.
On his part, the Assistant Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer for Bauchi LGA, Sirajo Shuaibu Sambo, submitted that human to human transmission of Lassa fever was the fastest way of contracting the disease, adding that affected persons do not suspect initially that they have contracted the disease until it defies all treatment
While saying that Lassa fever’s mortality rate is higher than that of Covid-19, Sambo asserted that the disease is not being caused by witchcraft contrary to such belief in some quarters, saying that early detection through a test from a certified laboratory can save lives
