The government of Katsina State, in northern Nigeria, says it is stepping up measures to prevent the spread of Lassa fever and other infectious diseases.
The Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Shamsuddeen Yahaya, said the state has recorded six suspected cases of Lassa fever and one confirmed death.
He explained that health officials have already begun active case searches and contact tracing, identifying 15 people who had contact with the suspected cases. According to him, the contacts are being monitored and no new active cases have been reported so far.
Yahaya urged residents to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
He added that the state is also strengthening its response to other disease threats such as Cerebrospinal meningitis, Diphtheria, Mpox, Measles, and Cholera, which are considered epidemic-prone.
