The Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, Mohammed Adamu, disclosed the development during a late-night briefing on Monday. He noted that swift intervention measures were immediately activated, helping to stabilise the situation and limit further spread.
Index Case Linked to Humanitarian Worker
According to Adamu, the index case involved a French national and staff member of Médecins Sans Frontières, who reportedly developed symptoms about a week after arriving in Nigeria.
The patient initially sought treatment at a hospital for fever and received care. However, her condition deteriorated within days, progressing to haemorrhagic symptoms consistent with viral haemorrhagic fever. She died the same day she was admitted to another health facility.
Her remains were subsequently deposited at the mortuary of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital before health authorities were alerted to the suspected infectious disease.
Laboratory investigations later confirmed Lassa fever. “Samples taken from the deceased confirmed Lassa fever after laboratory investigations,” Adamu stated.
Emergency Response and Contact Tracing
Following confirmation of the case, the state’s emergency response mechanism was activated. Health officials launched a comprehensive contact-tracing exercise, which led to the identification of two additional cases — a medical doctor from Minjibir and another female contact.
Both patients are currently in isolation and receiving treatment at designated facilities. The female patient is being managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, while the infected doctor is undergoing care at the Yargaya isolation centre.
Adamu revealed that 62 individuals who had varying degrees of contact with the confirmed cases were traced across five local government areas. Of these, 25 were categorised as high-risk contacts and subjected to laboratory testing.
“Out of the 25 samples taken, 22 returned negative, while three were positive. One of the positive cases is the deceased index patient, while the two others are presently in isolation,” he explained.
Heightened Surveillance and Public Awareness
In response to the outbreak, surveillance efforts and public health education campaigns have been intensified, particularly in Minjibir and other affected areas. Authorities have also deployed response teams to monitor contacts, disinfect affected environments, and strengthen community sensitisation on preventive measures.
Health officials have reassured residents that there is no cause for panic, emphasising that the situation is under control and that proactive measures are being taken to prevent further transmission.
Persistent Public Health Challenge
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of Nigeria. It is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, especially in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate.
Public health experts stress that early detection, prompt isolation of cases, and rigorous contact tracing remain critical to containing outbreaks. The latest incident in Kano underscores the persistent threat posed by Lassa fever in Nigeria and highlights the importance of coordinated public health action, rapid diagnosis, and sustained community awareness in curbing its spread.