Over 30 dead, 195 infected as Lassa fever spreads to 11 states – NCDC

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the casualty figure in the recent Lassa fever outbreak across the country as it activated a National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate response activities on Saturday January 25.

NCDC DG, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said 195 confirmed cases and 29 deaths were reported in 11 states as of January 24. Two Kano health workers were also confirmed dead in the recent outbreak in which 89% of the confirmed cases are from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi.

According to Ihekweazu, “Over the last three weeks, NCDC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to support five of the affected states”, the agency said.

“The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire led a high-level delegation to Kano State on the 25th of January 2020, following the deaths of two health workers infected with Lassa fever.

“In addition, NCDC has rapidly increased risk communications and community engagement activities to ensure that Nigerians are aware of the risks of Lassa fever and measures to protect themselves.

“There has been a decline in the case fatality rate of reported Lassa fever cases from 23.4% in 2019 to 14.8% this year. NCDC continues to support treatment centres across states in the country to effectively manage Lassa fever cases.

“In addition, five laboratories in Nigeria have the capacity to diagnose Lassa fever in Nigeria. These laboratories are critical to reducing turnaround time between identifying a suspected case and confirmation.

“NCDC and the three main treatment centres in the country – Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Owo and Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakalilki – are set to commence Lassa fever epidemiological studies that will provide data to guide research and response activities.”

The National EOC includes representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Environment, World Health Organization, UNICEF, US Centers for Disease Control, and other partners.

Meanwhile, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja, Kogi State’s capital on Sunday January 26 confirmed three cases of Lassa fever and one death in its facility.

FMC Lokoja’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr Bernard Ododo said 3 patients tested positive while one death was recorded after 5 suspected cases were reported.

Ododo said “Five suspected cases reported at the hospital in the last one week, three already tested positive, of which one died.

”Two cases already transferred to Lassa Fever Management Center at Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo State.

”Two others (of which one has died) have their results awaited from NCDC Laboratory in Abuja.”

He urged members of the public to maintain high hygienic principles, keep rodents away from their residence and foodstuff materials.

Residents of the state were asked to seek medical attention for fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, joint pain, abdominal pain and bleeding from body orifices.

Health workers were also advised to imbibe precautionary measures to protect themselves against the disease. Ododo said;

”For health caregivers, universal safety precaution is key. Wash hands with sanitizers, glove and kitting on personal protection equipment kit (PPE) are necessary.

”But first is to uphold a high index of suspicion while clerking patient with likely Lassa fever signs and symptoms on arrival to the hospital .

”Treatment is more effective if detected early and treatment commenced immediately.

”Lassa is highly infectious and contagious, everyone must beware.”