By Milcah Tanimu

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has initiated a comprehensive three-day training program for 180 Red Cross volunteers focused on Lassa fever intervention.

This training, facilitated by the ministry and financially supported by the Red Cross, aims to equip volunteers from five local government areas (LGAs) within the state with essential skills necessary for effective response measures.

Selected volunteers hail from Zaria, Igabi, Kaduna South, Kaduna North, and Chikun Divisions.

Dr. Jeremiah Dikwu, the State Epidemiologist, emphasized that the training provides volunteers with critical knowledge required to respond promptly to Lassa fever cases across the state.

The intervention strategies covered in the training include Risk Communication and Active Case Search, Psychological First Aid, Rodent Control, and Hygiene Promotion, spanning over a duration of three months.

Dr. Dikwu highlighted that the training commenced with 30 volunteers focusing on surveillance techniques and would culminate in the training of 150 volunteers specializing in Risk Communication and Community Engagement.

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted by rodents, has been a known health concern since the 1950s, with the identification of the virus occurring in 1969 after two missionary nurses succumbed to the disease in the town of Lassa, Nigeria.

Symptoms of Lassa fever often mimic those of other febrile illnesses like malaria and Ebola, making clinical diagnosis challenging. Key clinical indicators for suspecting Lassa fever include fever, pharyngitis, retrosternal pain, and proteinuria.

Treatment primarily involves the use of Ribavirin, particularly effective when administered intravenously within six days of symptom onset, potentially reducing mortality rates by up to 90%.

Dr. Dikwu emphasized the importance of close monitoring during treatment, especially for complications like dehydration, edema, hypotension, and renal dysfunction.

The trained volunteers will play crucial roles in conducting Risk Communication and Community Engagement, Active Case Search, Psychological First Aid, Rodent Control, and Hygiene Promotion activities to mitigate the spread of Lassa fever within Kaduna State.