Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic infection that is endemic (and constantly present) throughout West Africa, including Nigeria. It is caused by the Lassa virus, which spreads mostly through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Lassa fever is a disease that spreads all year due to the abundance of rodents in Nigeria.
However, seasonal outbreaks might occur during the dry season/harmattan, which runs from December to April.
According to a recent update from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the lassa fever situation report from February 12th to February 18th, 2024 indicated that “in total for 2024, 24 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 89 Local Government Areas. The predominant age group affected is 31-40 years.” Lassa fever cases have been confirmed in several states, including Edo, Ondo, Kogi, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Cross River, Taraba, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Niger, and Yobe.
Recent Outbreak Report in Nigeria
There were 66 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in week 7, 2024, down from 83 the previous week. So far this year, 85 deaths have been reported from Lassa fever, a somewhat lower fatality rate than last year. Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states have been severely struck, with the majority of cases reported there. Compared to prior years, there are fewer confirmed cases and deaths, but more people are exhibiting symptoms.
Lassa fever is typically transmitted through contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, particularly multimammate rats. Human-to-human transmission can occur when infected individuals’ bodily fluids come into direct touch.
The most common symptoms of Lassa fever are fever, weakness, headache, sore throat, muscle soreness, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe situations, it can cause bleeding in the gums, nose, or eyes, as well as organ failure.
What Is the Government Doing About This?
The NCDC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was formed to help coordinate the response to the Lassa fever outbreak. The response strategies being implemented include:
Case management entails treating confirmed cases at selected treatment centers across the states, disseminating approved case management guidelines, and guaranteeing the diagnosis of all samples in Lassa fever testing laboratories.
Surveillance activities include ongoing Lassa fever sensitization in impacted states, technical meetings with subnational teams to synchronize surveillance and response, and monitoring outbreak emergency composite indicators to guide action.
Public awareness: Making media appearances and press briefings to offer updates on the outbreak response, disseminating media content such as press releases and public advisories, and hosting webinars aimed at empowering communities to combat Lassa fever.
Conclusion
The article provides updates on the current response to the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria. It’s important that you stay updated, so keep an eye on official outlets such as the NCDC website or social media for the most recent details. Remember to take the precautions prescribed by health officials to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
