Lassa fever takes over 8 states in Nigeria

By Aiyeku Timothy January 7, 2016 14:48

Lassa fever takes over 8 states in Nigeria

The Federal Government has announced the outbreak of Lassa fever in 8 states of the federation with 76 cases already reported, 35 deaths, and 14 cases confirmed by laboratories.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, stated that Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo states have all experienced the deadly disease within the past 6 weeks. Lassa fever has threatened Nigeria for 47 years, killing many and has continued to spread.

Adewole therefore, assured that the government would put in strategies to stop the spread and reduce the rate of mortality among those affected as measures had been put in place, adding that travel restrictions would not be enforced on affected areas.

“The total number of suspected cases so far reported is 76 with 35 deaths, and a Case Fatality Rate, CFR, of 46 per cent. Our laboratories have confirmed 14 cases, indicative of a new episode of Lassa fever outbreak.

“The Nigerian government will continue to enhance its surveillance and social health education, information and communication activities to prevent the disease from spreading further in Nigeria and I wish to call for the support and understanding of Nigerians,” the minister said.

According to him, the measures in place include; immediate release of adequate quantities of ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa Fever to all the affected states for prompt and adequate treatment of cases, and deployment of rapid response teams from the Federal Health Ministry to all the affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases and tracing of contacts.

The minister also said clinicians and relevant healthcare workers have been sensitized and mobilized in areas of patient management.

“Affected states have been advised to intensify awareness creation on the signs and symptoms and general hygiene.

“Furthermore, it is important to note that Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa Fever and all the cases reported so far were confirmed by our laboratories. However, because the symptoms of Lassa Fever are so varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult, especially early in the course of the disease,” Adewole stressed.

“Family members and healthcare workers are advised to always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons. No travel restrictions will be imposed from and to areas currently affected.

“Healthcare workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa Fever should immediately contact the epidemiologist in the State Ministry of Health or call the Federal Ministry of Health using the following numbers: 08093810105, 08163215251, 08031571667 and 08135050005.”

The first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi State in November 2015, followed by cases reported by Kano State and subsequently the other six states as the minster confirms, “the World Health Organization, WHO, is being notified of the cases confirmed.”

The culprit Lassa virus is zoonotic, that is, it can infect both human and animals. Also, the African soft-furred rat, with a hairless tail, is the link to humans.

The animal frequently gets onto leftover food or food left to dry in the sun and in open air. While eating, rodents may also urinate and defecate and pass the virus onto humans who eat the contaminated food.

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