Nasarawa State has been placed on high alert following the death of three persons, including a pregnant woman, from suspected cases of Lassa fever in Awe Local Government Area of the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Demina John Ali, disclosed that heightened surveillance and preparedness have been activated across all 13 local government areas due to the seasonal outbreak pattern of the disease.
According to Dr. Ali, the victims were women from Tunga village in Awe LGA who were initially treated at a local clinic before being referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lafia, where they later died. Laboratory tests subsequently confirmed Lassa fever as the cause of death.
In response, the Ministry of Health immediately deployed an emergency response team to the affected community, strengthened infection prevention and control measures, and commenced contact tracing.
The Ministry identified 28 contacts linked to the cases. Six individuals who developed symptoms were evacuated to the teaching hospital, tested, and returned negative results, after which they were discharged.
Dr. Ali reassured residents that no further deaths or confirmed cases have been recorded, noting that continuous surveillance and monitoring are ongoing to prevent the spread of the disease across the state.
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