The Kwara State Government has reassured residents that there is currently no confirmed case of Lassa fever in the state, despite a recent isolated incident involving a 14-year-old resident of Ogun State.
An official statement from the Ministry of Health, headquarters, Ilorin, explained that a boy was brought into Kwara for medical care, where he was managed by clinicians.
The statement informed that unfortunately, the boy passed away a few days later, and a laboratory results later confirmed that he was tested positive for Lassa fever.
Following the confirmation, according to the statement, the Kwara State Ministry of Health immediately swung into action and activated its rapid response measures.
It further explained that all healthcare workers who had contact with the patient, as well as identified community members, were promptly placed under observation and necessary preventive protocols, including isolation and administration of appropriate medications.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam had in a statement, assured members of the public that there is currently no transmission of Lassa fever in the state.
Dr. El-Imam urged residents to remain calm but vigilant to prevent the disease from entering and gaining a foothold in the state.
She advised the public to maintain proper hygiene practices, including keeping their environments clean to prevent rodent infestation, proper food storage to keep out vermin, and regular handwashing with running water and soap.
She further encouraged anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, or general weakness to promptly report to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.
The Ministry therefore, reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the health of all residents and called on the public to rely only on verified information from official sources.
