More than 20 health workers at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, who were exposed to a confirmed case of Lassa fever, have tested negative and been discharged from temporary isolation.
However, one new case has been confirmed—a male adult currently under the care of the Kano State Epidemiology Unit. He is the husband of the index case, a 22-year-old pregnant woman who died shortly after arriving at AKTH’s gynecology emergency unit earlier in the week.
Chief Information Officer of AKTH, Maryam Aminu Usman, confirmed the new case and said that all exposed staff were tested, and none were found to be infected.
“More than 20 health personnel who had direct contact with the index case have tested negative. Others identified through contact tracing also tested negative, except the husband of the patient,” she said. “This outcome reflects the diligence and professionalism of AKTH staff in handling patients.”
Usman added that the hospital acted swiftly after confirming the index case on April 5, 2025, taking all necessary precautionary measures to prevent the disease’s spread.
Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, told The Guardian via WhatsApp that the state Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has deployed a Rapid Response Team to manage the situation.
He confirmed that four cases have been recorded—one fatal, with three others under monitoring despite returning negative lab results.
“We are line-listing all contacts. Antivirals, PPEs, and thermometers have been delivered to AKTH. Twenty staff samples have been collected, and all were placed on self-isolation and given Ribavirin,” Yusuf said.
He added that the team also visited Kura General Hospital, where additional contacts are being monitored for symptoms over the next two weeks.
“The woman’s primary contact in Garun Mallam has also been isolated, given Ribavirin, and tested. We are awaiting the result,” he added