file photo: Doctors attend to a Lassa fever patient

The Bauchi State Ministry of Health has confirmed the death of four patients out of the five cases of Lassa fever in Bauchi, Alkaleri and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Halima Muqaddas, made the confirmation on Friday while addressing journalists in Bauchi.

“We have confirmed five cases of Lassa fever from Jan. 24 to date. Three cases from Bauchi Local Government and the three are dead.

“In Alkaleri, we had one case and the patient died while in Ganjuwa, it was only one case and the person is alive and is being treated.

“The cases were found in different local governments that we have never had a single case in previous years.

“This disease is due to the non adherence to maintaining personal and environmental hygiene,” she said.

Muqaddas said that all suspected cases would be quarantined at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBU), Bauchi.

The commissioner directed all health facilities in the state to treat all cases with outmost caution to fast-track diagnosis of the disease.

She advised health personnel to adhere strictly to medical guidelines of using disposable hand gloves as well as hand washing after every examination and contacts with all patients.

Muqaddas appealed to members of the public to cultivate the culture of hand washing to reduce intake of bacteria and other micro organisms.

“All health personnel, including cleaners, should observe the medical guidelines of using protections such as hand gloves and proper hand washing to safeguard them.

“Members of the public should cover all foods and leftovers and also maintain proper personal and environmental hygiene to ensure that rats don’t get into foods,” she advised.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 2-21 days duration, caused by lassa virus.

Discovered in Lassa village, Borno, in 1969, the disease is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. (NAN)