30 test positive of Lassa fever in Bauchi

Bauchi State has recorded a renewed surge in Lassa fever as 30 people out of the samples taken have returned positive in six out of the 20 LGAs of the state. 

The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, announced this in Bauchi while interacting with journalists. 

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Dr Mohammed said the affected local government areas are mostly in Bauchi South and Central zones including Bauchi, Bogoro, Ganjuwa, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa and Toro. 

He attributed the outbreak to the ongoing harvest of farm produce.

He said from January to December this year, the state has recorded a total of 153 probable cases of Lassa fever out of which 136 were randomly tested with eight people confirmed dead.

The  chairman said the state government is taking all necessary medical and preventive measures towards ensuring the safety of the people, adding that the agency would soon procure more drugs and injectables to handle the disease.

He advised people to observe personal and environmental hygiene in order to control the spread of the disease.

More than 38 people, including prominent traditional rulers, died of Lassa fever in the state in 2020 which led to the constitution of a task force to contain the situation.