Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has issued a public health advisory on the onset of the Lassa Fever season and the potential transmission risk across the country.

Director-General of the Centre, Dr Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the public alert became pertinent following a national advisory received from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Dr Abbas disclosed that the NCDC warning indicated a possible increase in the risk of Lassa Fever transmission during the period between October and May.

Dr Abbas explained that with Kano’s ecological and environmental conditions, the state is vulnerable to potential outbreaks, urging citizens to maintain high levels of hygiene and adhere to preventive measures.

The advisory stated that residents should keep their surroundings clean, store food in covered containers, and block all possible rodent entry points.

He advised anyone experiencing persistent fever or related symptoms to report to the nearest health facility immediately.

Meanwhile, the statement released on Sunday said the Kano State Government has activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) for Lassa Fever response as part of proactive measures.

The DG also hinted that the centre has begun pre-positioning essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), antivirals, and training for health workers on case management and infection prevention.

“Community sensitisation campaigns and rodent control exercises are also ongoing in high-risk local government areas as part of the state’s ‘One Health’ response strategy, which integrates environmental and agricultural setors.

sectors.

“The KNCDC appealed to residents to report any suspected case promptly through designated surveillance channels rather than attempting home treatment,” the statement said.

Dr Abbas assured that Lassa Fever is preventable and treatable when detected early, adding that together, we can keep Kano State free from Lassa Fever this season.

Lassa Fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease, is transmitted through contact with food, water, or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents.

Person-to-person transmission may also occur through contact with the blood or body fluids of infected individuals.

The symptoms of Lassa Fever include fever that does not respond to treatment, sore throat, chest or abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding from any part of the body. Early diagnosis and treatment, according to health officials, greatly improve survival chances. (The Guardian)