Kano CDC warns residents as lassa fever season begins across Nigeria
The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has warned residents about the start of the 2025/2026 Lassa Fever season in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the KNCDC Director General, Dr. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, the agency said the warning follows a national alert from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), which noted that the risk of Lassa Fever transmission is usually high between October and May every year.
Lassa Fever is a viral disease that spreads through contact with food, water, or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.
It can also spread from person to person through contact with the blood or body fluids of infected individuals. Dr. Abbas said Kano’s environment makes the state vulnerable to outbreaks.
He urged residents to maintain proper hygiene, keep their surroundings clean, and store food in tightly covered containers to keep rodents away.
“Anyone who has persistent fever or related symptoms should visit the nearest health facility immediately,” he said.
Common symptoms of Lassa Fever include fever that doesn’t respond to regular treatment, sore throat, chest or stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding from any part of the body.
Health experts say early detection and treatment greatly improve survival chances.
He said “To prepare for possible cases, the Kano State Government has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) for Lassa Fever response. It has also stocked up on essential supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE), antiviral drugs, and has started training health workers on case management and infection prevention. Community awareness campaigns and rodent control exercises are also underway in high-risk areas as part of the state’s “One Health” response approach, which involves environmental and agricultural sectors. ”
The KNCDC urged residents to report any suspected cases immediately instead of attempting self-treatment. Dr. Abbas assured the public that Lassa Fever is preventable and treatable if detected early, saying: “Together, we can keep Kano State free from Lassa Fever this season.”