An animal-borne acute viral illness, Lassa Fever, has reportedly killed three people at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
The deceased persons are two doctors and one patient. WuzupNigeria gathered that other patients have been placed under the Intensive Care Unit of the teaching hospital.
WuzupNigeria gathered that one Ummu Kulthum, who worked in the hospital as a House Officer, died on Friday while an Anaesthetist Consultant, Habeeb Musa, died on Monday.
The third victim, a pregnant woman from Bauchi State who is suspected to be the carrier of the virus, was said to have died due to suspected complications. She was said to have had a caesarean section 20 days ago at the Teaching Hospital.
The Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Kano State Ministry of Health, Dr. Imam Wada Bello, who spoke to newsmen, said a female Housemanship Doctor, who assisted in the caesarean section carried out on the woman by the Anaesthetist Consultant is now late.
Dr Bello, said the other suspected infected Health Workers are currently responding to treatment, explaining that the state Isolation Centre at Yargawa in Dawakinkudu Local Government Area has been prepared, where the infected persons will be quarantined.
He added that all other primary contacts, with the victims, will also be transferred to the Isolation Centre if the need arises.
“So far we received a report of three deaths from AKTH, which we are suspecting to be the case of Lassa Fever. So far, two samples were sent to the Reference Laboratory. We are awaiting the results,” he said.
“Immediately after we heard of the case, we dispatched our Rapid Response Team (RRT) to investigate via the contact listing. We have activated our Isolation Centre at Yargawa, where we manage such cases.
“Government has given us approval to pr-position drugs and protective personal equipment. The Commissioner has briefed the Governor and convened Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee. Decisions are being taken on the issue.”
It was learnt that the AKTH and Kano state Ministry of Health have begun a crucial meeting to adopt crucial measures, to address the reported outbreak.
