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Tag: Lassa fever

  • Lassa fever kills 16 in Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, others’

    Lassa fever kills 16 in Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, others’

    •Bayelsa moves against disease

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control yesterday said Lassa fever has killed 16 people in Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue.

    It also said 61 cases have been confirmed.

    According to the agency, 10 health care workers have been infected in four states. Seven died in Ebonyi. One in Nasarawa. One in Kogi and one in Benue.

    A statement by the agency reads: “Following the increasing number of Lassa fever cases reported from several States across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response to the outbreak on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health.

    “The EOC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to the most affected States- Ebonyi, Ondo and Edo States. The RRTs are supporting the States in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication and strengthening infection prevention and control practices. Emergency supplies have also been sent to treatment centres in all affected States.

    “Since the beginning of 2018, a total number of 107 suspected Lassa fever cases have been recorded in ten states: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos States. As at 21st January 2018, the total number of confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten health care workers have been infected in four States (Ebonyi – 7, Nasarawa – 1, Kogi – 1 and Benue – 1) with three deaths in Ebonyi State.

    “NCDC is collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, African Field Epidemiology Network, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and other agencies, in supporting the response in the affected states.”

    The agency went on: “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to- person transmission can also occur, particularly in hospital environment in the absence of adequate infection control measures. Health care workers in health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, especially where infection prevention and control procedures are not strictly adhered to.

    “Lassa fever can be prevented through practicing good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to discourage rodents from entering homes. Hand washing should be practiced frequently.

    “Health care workers are again reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing a febrile illness such as malaria; and are advised to practice standard precautions at all times, maintaining a high index of suspicion. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria. 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.

    “Family members who are providing care for patients with Lassa fever are advised to take extra caution. In addition, States are encouraged to ensure safe and dignified burial practices for patients who die from Lassa fever.”

    The Bayelsa State government yesterday said it had taken measures to protect residents from the spread of Lassa Fever.

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu said though no case of the fever had been reported in any part of the state, the government rolled out programmes to stop outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

    Speaking while presenting his ministry’s scorecard at the ongoing Inter-Ministerial/Agency Briefing at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, he said the people were being sensitised on the need to maintain hygienic environment.

    He said: “There is no reported case of Lassa Fever in any part of the state but our people need to be conscious of their environment and if there is any incident of the disease, please report it to the nearest hospital for prompt attention.

    “We need to be proactive in the way and manner we handle health related and other issues, that is why the present administration is committing so much to the sector.”

    Three dead in Imo

    No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead following the outbreak of lassa fever in Imo State.

    Commissioner of Health Dr Angela Uwakwem confirmed the deaths in a chat with The Nation.

    According to her, “lassa fever is in Owerri. It has been confirmed”.

    The commissioner disclosed that the three persons who contacted the deadly virus, died after they were referred out of the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owerri.

    Uwakwem said: “We have seven suspected cases of lassa fever in the state. Three are confirmed dead. The Imo state government is working hard to establish the point of first contact .the media should equally help us to enlighten our people.”

    The Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Dr Kingsley Achigbu, disclosed that the lassa fever victims who were referred to the hospital were later referred out.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha said the state government has taken necessary steps to bring the situation under control.

    Okorocha said: “This morning we woke up to hear that Lassa fever has killed three persons and we also have seven cases of Lassa fever patients and this number is too large for a State. And we are concerned about the speed of spread. These cases were recorded in some hospitals, somewhere in Orlu and some other parts of the State. For this reason, we kindly advise that people should avoid over crowded areas, lessen the shaking of hands, and body contacts at this period.

    “You are aware that Lassa fever is caused by some species of rats. The state is on it. The Ministry of Health has been adequately informed to take all necessary steps to curtail the spread. But as this number has risen this morning, we advise that people should avoid as much as possible some foods and body contacts especially in schools and market areas.

    “We will do everything humanly possible to make sure that this spread is curtailed. While government is taking this action, people should keep a clean and healthy environment at this time. Avoid so many children staying in one place while government should handle the burial of those that died of Lassa fever. As you know, Lassa fever is deadly but if any discovery is made, live can be saved.”

  • Lassa Fever: 107 suspected cases in 10 states

    Lassa Fever: 107 suspected cases in 10 states

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed that Since the beginning of this year, a total number of 107 suspected Lassa fever cases have been recorded in ten States: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos States. As at 21st January 2018, the total number of confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten health care workers have been infected in four States (Ebonyi – seven, Nasarawa – one, Kogi – one and Benue – one) with three deaths in Ebonyi State.

    It stated that Following the increasing number of Lassa fever cases reported from several States across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response to the outbreak on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The EOC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to the most affected States- Ebonyi, Ondo and Edo States. The RRTs are supporting the States in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication and strengthening infection prevention and control practices. Emergency supplies have also been sent to treatment centres in all affected States.

    NCDC stated that it is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, African Field Epidemiology Network, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and other agencies, in supporting the response in the affected States.

    Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in hospital environment in the absence of adequate infection control measures. Health care workers in health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, especially where infection prevention and control procedures are not strictly adhered to.

    Lassa fever can be prevented through practicing good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to discourage rodents from entering homes. Hand washing should be practiced frequently.

    The organisation reminded Health care workers that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing a febrile illness such as malaria; and are advised to practice standard precautions at all times, maintaining a high index of suspicion. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria. 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.

    Family members who are providing care for patients with Lassa fever should take extra caution. In addition, States are encouraged to ensure safe and dignified burial practices for patients who die from Lassa fever.

  • Lassa fever kills three in Imo

    Lassa fever kills three in Imo

    At least three persons have been confirmed dead following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Imo State.

    Markets and other public places were partially deserted on Wednesday when news of the victims’ death filtered into town.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, confirmed the incident in a chat with our correspondent.

    She said: “Lassa fever is in Owerri. It has been confirmed.”

    The commissioner said the three persons who contacted the disease, died after they were taken out of the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri.

    Uwakwem added: “We have seven suspected cases of Lassa fever in the state. Three are confirmed dead. The Imo State government is working hard to establish the point of first contact. The media should equally help us to enlighten our people.

    “People should stop unnecessary shaking of hands. People should equally stop eating exposed food. The virus is caused by rats, so people should be encouraged to make use of rat poison in their homes.”

    The Chief Medical Director of FMC, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, said the Lassa fever victims who were referred to the hospital were later referred out.

    The state governor, Rochas Okorocha, has also confirmed the death of the three victims.

    Though the governor did not disclose the identities of the victims, he assured that the state government has taken necessary steps to bring the situation under control.

    “This morning we woke up to hear that Lassa fever has killed three persons and we also have seven cases of Lassa fever patients and this number is too large for a state. And we are concerned about the speed of spread. These cases were recorded in some hospitals, somewhere in Orlu and some other parts of the state. For this reason, we kindly advise that people should avoid over crowded areas, lessen the shaking of hands, and body contacts at this period,” Okorocha stated.

     

     

     

     

  • Lassa Fever: Five killed in Ondo

    Lassa Fever: Five killed in Ondo

    The Ondo State government yesterday confirmed that Lassa fever has killed five persons  in the state.

    Twenty-four others are in critical condition.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Yemi Olowolabi said the deaths and other cases were recorded in four local government areas.

    He listed the local governments as Owo, Akoko Southwest, Akure North and Akure South.

    Olowolabi said the government had strengthened its medical facilities in all its specialist hospitals to contain the spread of the disease.

    He noted that the isolation centre at the Federal Medical centre (FMC) in Owo had also been reinforced to take adequate care of patients as part of efforts to check  the spread of the disease.

    Olowolabi said the government was embarking on sensitisation of the public  on unhygienic habits that could aid the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

    The fear of the disease has forced the Anambra State government to ban drinking of garri in the state .

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabuike spoke yesterday on a radio programme in Awka code nameed ‘Anambra talks ‘

    He said residents of the state  should take the hygiene of their environment serious against any form of disease.

    He maintained that people could contact the disease through the garri they purchase  in some certain places,  spread on the ground,adding that such produce could be contaminated

    Akabuike said: “Those garri you see spread along the highway while you’re traveling is very risky to consume, especially when you drink it.

    “It is better and surer consuming the ones you prepared yourself.”

    He  explained that the ministry was battle ready to ensure the epidemic did not permeate into the state.

    He said  good hygiene practices and taking precautions over all form of symptoms among family members and friends would go a long way to curbing  the spread .

    “Hand washing remains an effective way of preventing diseases. Families as well as corporate organizations should re-adopt the use of tip taps and hand sanitisers placed in public places,” he said.

    Other measures taken by the state government include  the creation of Primary Health Care Agency, the Health Insurance Scheme and revitalisation of secondary care institutions .

    “These reforms are being carried out to stand the test of time and they are  playing  great roles in putting the health sector in the state as one of the best across the country,” he said.

  • Lassa fever kills five in Ondo

    Lassa fever kills five in Ondo

    The Ondo State government has confirmed the death of five persons from Lassa fever in the state.

    The government also said 24 persons are in critical condition in different parts of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, stated these on Tuesday.

    He said cases occurred in Owo, Akoko Southwest, Akure North and Akure South local government areas of the state.

    Olowolabi said government has strengthened its medical apparatus in all the specialist hospitals to contain the spread of the disease.

     

     

  • Another Lassa fever outbreak

    Another Lassa fever outbreak

    • We need more than ritualistic response to a perennial public health problem

    Lassa fever has broken out in Ebonyi and Kogi states. So far, the infection had killed four citizens, including two doctors. As at the time of writing, there are already nine persons receiving treatment and 139 others under active surveillance. As expected, the Federal Ministry of Health has alerted WHO about the outbreak of Lassa fever and has provided support to states with cases of confirmed infection.

    Already, the disease has led to the closure of public and private schools in Ebonyi for seven days in the first instance, to prevent spread of the disease among school children. And patients receiving treatment not related to Lassa at the National Obstretic Fistula Centre (NOFIC) in Abakaliki have been evacuated to prevent being exposed to Lassa infection. Further, patients diagnosed with Lassa fever in Kogi have been taken for treatment to Irruain, Edo State.

    Expectedly, both federal and state governments have embarked on the usual response to outbreak of Lassa in the country: reminding medical staff of precautionary measures required for attending to those diagnosed with the fever; repeating the symptoms to which individuals should seek immediate diagnosis; sending medications to states experiencing Lassa fever. In addition, citizens in affected states are being reminded about how to avoid future occurrence: refraining from burning bush to avoid forcing rats to run into houses for protection; advising citizens to store their food, especially grains, gari, powdered food in securely covered containers; and avoiding bodily contact with rats and their urine and faeces. But the pattern of response is not different from that of past years.

    Between mid-May 2015 and August 2016, 289 citizens were infected by Lassa fever, which caused the death of 154 patients. And in January of 2017, six states were affected by Lassa fever: Plateau, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Taraba, and Edo, and about 20 patients died. The fast spread of the infection and loss of lives pushed the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to create Lassa Fever Eradication Committee to provide clues on how to prevent future outbreak of the disease. The committee had made recommendations to the government well ahead of this year’s dry season. This 2018 outbreak of Lassa fever exactly a year after the last outbreak should spark curiosity about the progress of the Lassa Fever Eradication Committee.

    We fully agree with complaints of University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA) about the ritualistic nature of response in the country to Lassa epidemic since 2013, especially in Ebonyi where over 40 had died of the disease since 2013. We find the observation of UGONSA that the outbreak in Ebonyi would have been avoidable if the government had lived up to expectation in the health care delivery system to be apt: “What we see each time we experience the avoidable death of health workers from Lassa fever is that government officials rush to the press to commiserate with the victims….Hypocritically, they resume the supply of basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hand sanitisers to hospitals.But as soon as the tension dies down, hand sanitisers, PPE, electricity and running water disappear and become essential commodities in our hospitals, leaving our nurses and physicians with the pathetic option of treating patients largely unprotected.”

    We implore both federal and state governments to pay more attention to quality and regularity of health care in the country, particularly in terms of preventive medicine which is universally much cheaper than curing people after they are diagnosed with Lassa and other infectious diseases. If nurses and other health workers cannot trust the government on regular supply of sanitisers in hospitals, why would government expect non-medical citizens to heed advice from health workers about importance of personal and public hygiene? Ministries of health all over the country need to obey their own rules at all time.

    In the short run, both federal and state governments should ensure that all forms of intervention necessary to stop spread of Lassa and prevent infection of medical staff attending to patients are put in place immediately. Losing three doctors in one week to a treatable disease is, to say the least, worrisome. In the long run, the government needs to collaborate with international organisations on research towards production of Lassa vaccine. A country without potable water for over 80% of its population and with erratic supply of electricity for proper storing of food, and erratic public health education cannot afford to delay further on production of vaccine against Lassa fever.

  • Lassa fever hits Ondo

    Lassa fever hits Ondo

    An outbreak of Lassa fever has been reported in Ondo State.
    Dr Liasu Ahmed, the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, confirmed the outbreak to newsmen on Monday on telephone.
    Ahmed, however, declined to give further details.
    He said that it was the prerogative of the Ondo State Government to release details on the outbreak.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that some persons suspected to have been infected were taken to the FMC, Owo, while others with critical conditions were said to have been referred to Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo for treatment.

    Similarly, a medical doctor with the FMC, who spoke on anonymity, confirmed that a family of four persons were brought to the hospital from Oka-Akoko area of the state, while another six suspected victims were also rushed to the centre from Owo and Ose Local Government Areas of the state.
    According to the medical doctor, health workers at the FMC were working under fear of contracting the epidemic.
    The state government is yet to react to the development as the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahaab Adegbenro, did not answer calls nor reply to text messages.

     

  • Doctor dies of Lassa fever in Kogi

    Doctor dies of Lassa fever in Kogi

    A doctor, Ahmed Victor has died of Lassa fever in Kogi State.

    The doctor, who was with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, Kogi State, was infected with the disease last week

    Sources at the FMC said the victim, whose identity has not been made public by the hospital management, died at about 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

    The source told The Nation that the doctor “did not make it.”

    “It is very unfortunate. He did not make it. He died at about 6:00 p.m. on Sunday,” the source said.

    Read Also: Lassa outbreak: Fistula Centre evacuates patients from hospital

    The Chief Medical Director of FMC, Lokoja, Dr. Olatunde Alabi had said the doctor was diagnosed of Lassa fever last Friday.

    He said the victim’s blood sample was sent to the Federal Medical Centre, Irrua, Edo State, where it tested positive to Lassa fever.

     

     

  • Anxiety as medical doctor tests positive to Lassa fever

    Anxiety as medical doctor tests positive to Lassa fever

    Kogi State has recorded a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever after a medical doctor at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja is confirmed to be a victim of the disease.

    Medical Director of FMC, Dr Olatunji Alabi, told reporters yesterday that the male doctor was diagnosed of the disease on January 19.

    He said that the victim’s blood sample was sent to the Federal Medical Centre, Irrua, Edo State for laboratory analysis, adding that it tested positive.

    Alabi said that the 30-year-old doctor was transferred to Irrua yesterday for further treatment.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO), the state Ministry of Health and other stakeholders have been informed of the development and are already assisting the Centre in various ways.

    He said that all the people that came in contact with the sick doctor at home and work had been placed under surveillance.

    Alabi said that the centre in partnership with relevant stakeholders had commenced contact tracing to enable it trace the source of the disease and ascertain if there was any other victim within the community where the doctor resides.

    He said that the Centre would also embark on health education for its members of staff to prevent human to human transmission of the disease.The medical expert urged members of the public to endeavour to report cases of fever early to the nearest health facility for early treatment.

    He also appealed to residents to take urgent steps to eliminate rats in their houses and surroundings, saying that foodstuff like garri, rice, beans, maize should be kept in air tight containers to prevent contamination by rats.

    The Centre, in 2017, handled three cases of Lassa fever, two of the victims died, while one survived.

     

  • Key ways to avoid the Rat virus also known as Lassa fever

    From the recent outbreak of Lassa Fever again in Nigeria leading to the death of 4 doctors and nurses in Ebonyi State and a total of 139 people under surveillance, it is expedient that we take precautionary measures once again, in order to avoid the virus

    To prevent Lassa fever, avoid rats in your homes, take the following steps:   Keep rats out of the house and food supplies; Ensure all foods are well cooked before eating; Keep your home clean and maintain personal hygiene; Dispose all refuse far away from your home; Avoid bodily fluid and blood contact while caring for a sick person; Ensure all foodstuffs are put in rodent-proof containers.

    On the other hand, health workers, they should always apply standard infection prevention and control precautions when caring for patients;  Use protective gears like gloves, nose masks, laboratory coats, and goggles when attending to patients;   Ensure safe burial practices; Only trained staffs should handle blood samples taken from humans or animals for Lassa fever investigations.

    Educate the public on Lassa fever prevention; Keep infected patients isolated.

    Public places are almost unavoidable, from entering public buses to churches, schools etc. Because you cannot tell who is virus free and who is not, it is necessary you to take safety measures; Avoid body contacts with sweaty people; Avoid roadside foods, unless you are sure the food was properly cooked; Wash and sanitize your hands always.

    Lassa fever is a fever caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arena virus family of viruses which is predominantly found in West Africa. Rodents (Rats) are the known vectors of the Lassa virus.

    The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. It is also transmitted through contact of bodily fluids (including urine and sweat), faeces or blood with an infected person. So far, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Central African Republic are the countries with known cases of Lassa fever.