A new case of Lassa fever has been recorded in Nigeria, after laboratory tests carried out on a 27-year old man proved positive in the northwestern state of Katsina, local authorities said on Wednesday.

The new case is the first ever to be recorded in the northwestern Nigerian province.

Commissioner for Health in Katsina State Mariatu Bala Usman told Xinhua the victim was being isolated at a state-run hospital after he tested positive to the dreaded disease.

Lassa fever is an acute and often fatal viral disease, occurring mainly in West Africa. It is usually transmitted by contact with the saliva or excreta of rats accessing homes and food stores.

According to the official, the victim was suspected to have contacted the disease through a dead relative.

She said all health personnel working in facilities across the 34 local districts of the state have been adequately informed of the development and trained on how to handle Lassa fever cases.

A total of 268 suspected cases of Lassa fever and 138 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria so far, data from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control showed.

The lassa fever outbreak became worsened in February but efforts have been intensified to tackle the threat and spread of Lassa fever and other hemorrhagic fevers in the country.