TheCable

Four new cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed in Bauchi, bringing the total to seven.

Rilwan Mohammed, executive secretary of the primary health care development agency in the state, disclosed this during a press conference on Friday.

Mohammed said the number of suspected cases has also risen from 15 to 22.

He said though the disease is not new to the state, no death has been recorded in the year.

He added that all the cases have been forwarded to the National Centre for Disease Control  (NCDC) in Abuja for testing and authentication.

“The last time we told you that we had 15 suspected cases but as of now, the suspected cases have increased to 22. I also told you last time that we had three confirmed cases, four new cases have been added, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to seven.

“The seven confirmed cases this year are as follows: Bauchi has two, Tafawa Balewa has two, while Kirfi, Alkaleri and Toro have one case each.

“We have two more suspected cases in Giade Local Government and one in Azare, Katagum LGA. We are planning on what to do with Azare because it is close to Kano State and since there is an outbreak there (in Kano), we are now afraid.

“All Lassa fever cases should be transported in an ambulance and not in a commercial car because it can be transmitted to those in the vehicle.”

As of Wednesday, 258 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed with 41 deaths reported in 19 states.