Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Health Special Report

Why Lassa Fever May Claim Lives In 2022 - NCDC | READ DETAILS

Thompson Nsisongabasi

Feb 17, 2022

mail
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has revealed why Lassa Fever may claim more lives in 2022.

READ ALSO: Taliban Bans UN Female Staff From Afghanistan | READ DETAILS

In a situation report on Wednessday, February 16, the NCDC said 358 confirmed cases of the disease have been recorded this year in 19 states and 65 local government areas of the country.

READ ALSO: REVEALED: How Common House Rats Can Kill - Shocking Truth Behind Silent Deaths in Nigerian Homes

Also seven new healthcare workers have been infected in Bauchi, Ondo and Edo states.

READ ALSO: Jim Iyke Sparks Outrage: "Doctors Are Trained Not to Heal - Sickness Is Their BusinessÔÇØ

It was also revealed that in week six, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 58 in week five, 2022 to 77 cases.

READ ALSO: How Nonchalant Attitude at Federal Medical Centre Umuahia Is Turning Accident Victims Into Casualties - Shocking Findings Emerge

"These were reported from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

READ ALSO: 'Buhari Died In London Hospital After Promising Nigerians Quality Healthcare' - Activist Adetoun Attacks Late Ex President

"Cumulatively from week one to week six, of 2022; 59 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate(CFR) of 16.5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021(22.9 per cent)ÔÇØ.

READ ALSO: PENSION ARREARS: ABIA ASSEMBLY PROMISES TO COLLABORATE WITH EXECUTIVE FOR RESOLUTION

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents infected with the Lassa fever virus. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in a hospital environment with inadequate infection control measures. Like several other countries in West Africa, the disease is endemic in Nigeria and is often recorded during the dry season, often between November and May.

READ ALSO: How a Nigerian Professor's AI System Could Predict Depression Before Symptoms Emerge

Since 2016, NCDC has worked hard to improve diagnostic capacity for the disease. Currently, seven laboratories can conduct confirmatory tests for Lassa fever in Nigeria and are coordinated by the NCDC National Reference Laboratory (NRL).

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Benue; Army allegedly opens fire, kills 70, sets community ablaze | READ DETAILS

This has improved active case detection for the disease. Similarly, care for affected individuals has improved with NCDC providing support to states including the provision of emergency medical and laboratory supplies as well as oral and intravenous Ribavirin for preventive and curative treatment to treatment centres across the country.

READ ALSO: Why Nigeria Must Declare a State of Emergency on Malaria - Hon. Amobi Ogah Reveals at National Retreat

In addition, Nigeria through NCDC is participating in the largest-ever Lassa fever study that aims to provide an accurate assessment of the incidence of the disease in West Africa. This will also accelerate the development of vaccines and therapeutics for Lassa fever.

READ ALSO: Shun Hatred & Violence On Election Day - Goodluck Jonathan Charges

These are supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Wellcome Trust.

READ ALSO: OPEN LETTER: OBASANJO IS IMMATURE, CHILDISH - SAGAY FIRES

To support and strengthen the response efforts of states, NCDC has continued to deploy Rapid Response Teams (RRT) as required to states. The RRTs through the State Public Health Emergency Operation Centres (PHEOCs) work with states across all response pillars to strengthen preparedness and response activities. This includes outbreak investigation, contact tracing, response coordination, case management, psycho-social care for infected people, risk communication, and infection prevention and control activities.

READ ALSO: APC explains why President Tinubu's meeting with Joe Biden was cancelled

Furthermore, using a One Health approach, the NCDC is working with relevant ministries, departments, health agencies, and partners to strengthen the capacity of states to effectively manage this outbreak alongside COVID-19 and other diseases of public health relevance. Risk communications activities are ongoing through radio, posters, flyers, and social media. The Federal Ministry of Environment is also implementing a Lassa fever Environmental response campaign in high burden states.

READ ALSO: Taliban Bans UN Female Staff From Afghanistan | READ DETAILS

To reduce the risk of the spread of Lassa fever, the NCDC offers the following advice:

READ ALSO: REVEALED: How Common House Rats Can Kill - Shocking Truth Behind Silent Deaths in Nigerian Homes

Ensure proper environmental sanitation - i.e. keep your environment clean at all times, block all holes in your house to prevent rats from entry.

READ ALSO: Jim Iyke Sparks Outrage: "Doctors Are Trained Not to Heal - Sickness Is Their BusinessÔÇØ

Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly. Communities should set up dumpsites very far from their homes to reduce the chances of having rodents within homes.

READ ALSO: How Nonchalant Attitude at Federal Medical Centre Umuahia Is Turning Accident Victims Into Casualties - Shocking Findings Emerge

Store foodstuff like rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc in containers that are well covered with tight-fitting lids.

READ ALSO: 'Buhari Died In London Hospital After Promising Nigerians Quality Healthcare' - Activist Adetoun Attacks Late Ex President

Avoid drying foodstuffs outside on the floor, roadside where they will be exposed to contamination

READ ALSO: PENSION ARREARS: ABIA ASSEMBLY PROMISES TO COLLABORATE WITH EXECUTIVE FOR RESOLUTION

Avoid bush burning which can lead to the displacement of rats from bushes to human dwellings.

READ ALSO: How a Nigerian Professor's AI System Could Predict Depression Before Symptoms Emerge

Eliminate rats in homes and communities by setting rat traps and other means.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Benue; Army allegedly opens fire, kills 70, sets community ablaze | READ DETAILS

Practice good personal hygiene by frequent washing hands with soap under running water /or use of hand sanitisers when appropriate.

READ ALSO: Why Nigeria Must Declare a State of Emergency on Malaria - Hon. Amobi Ogah Reveals at National Retreat

Visit the nearest health facility if you notice any of the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever as mentioned earlier, and avoid self-medication.

READ ALSO: Shun Hatred & Violence On Election Day - Goodluck Jonathan Charges

Health care workers are also advised to practice standard precautions and to maintain a high index of suspicion at all times. Ensure appropriate use of personal protective equipment any time there is a risk of body fluid exposure.

READ ALSO: OPEN LETTER: OBASANJO IS IMMATURE, CHILDISH - SAGAY FIRES

This is critical for breaking the chain of transmission of the disease. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be performed for all suspected cases of malaria.

READ ALSO: APC explains why President Tinubu's meeting with Joe Biden was cancelled

When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness including Lassa fever should be considered. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment increase the chances of survival.

READ ALSO: Taliban Bans UN Female Staff From Afghanistan | READ DETAILS

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control remains committed to supporting States' Public Health Teams to achieve the goal of reducing the Lassa fever case fatality rate to a single digit; preventing and responding to public health threats.

Related Stories

""

— Thompson Nsisongabasi

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member