By Uzair Adam
More than twenty medical personnel of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) who had direct contact with a Lassa fever patient have all tested negative for the disease.
Others who were screened through contact tracing also returned negative results, except for the patient’s husband who tested positive.
The update was made known by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Professor Muhammad Abba Suwaid, in a statement issued by the Chief Information Officer, Maryam Aminu Usman, on Saturday.
Prof. Suwaid said the affected staff were immediately isolated and had their blood samples taken for testing.
The results, he confirmed, indicated that none of them contracted the virus.
He attributed the outcome to the diligence and professionalism of AKTH staff in handling patients.
It was gathered that the hospital’s management acted swiftly after a confirmed case of Lassa fever involving a 22-year-old pregnant woman, who was admitted to the facility on April 5, 2025.
Prof. Suwaid said precautionary measures were taken to prevent further spread of the disease within the hospital and the surrounding community.
Meanwhile, the hospital management promptly alerted the Kano State Epidemiology Unit, which has been conducting contact tracing in Garum Malam Local Government Area, where the patient was brought from.
The patient’s husband, who tested positive for Lassa fever, is currently receiving treatment under the care of the Kano State Epidemiology Unit.