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Tag: Lassa fever

  • Lassa fever: WHO steps in as Nigeria records 14 fresh deaths

    14 more people have been confirmed dead in the latest outbreak of Lassa fever in nine states.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also confirmed 68 new cases in 12 states.

    They are  20 in  Edo,22 in Ondo, seven in Ebonyi, four each in Bauchi and Plateau, three in Taraba, two in Oyo and one each in Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, Delta and Rivers.

    States with new deaths are Edo (2), Ondo (1), Rivers (1), Plateau (2), Oyo (1), Ebonyi (4), Enugu (1), Taraba (1) and Nasarawa (1) states.

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    From January 1 to  February 3, a total of 731 suspected cases have been reported from 19 states. Of these, 275 were confirmed positive, 3 probable and 453 negative (not a case)

    Since the onset of the 2019 outbreak, there have been 57 deaths in confirmed cases. Case fatality rate in confirmed cases is 20.7%

    19  states (Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa,  Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Oyo) have recorded at least one confirmed case across 51 local government areas .

  • Lassa fever: Akeredolu inaugurates committee to end scourge

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the weekend inaugurated an Emergency Response Committee on Lassa fever.

    This followed recent reported cases of the disease in the state.

    The committee, chaired by Health Commissioner Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, has the General Manager of the state’s Waste Management Authority, Mrs Bola Akinyanmi, as its Secretary.

    Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Funso Esan; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Mr Alaba Isijola; the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Owo Local Government Area, Benjamin Adebayo; the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Dipo Durojaye; the Managing Director of ZL Global Limited, Dr Abiola Bashorun and Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, among others.

  • Lassa Fever: Akeredolu inaugurates committee to end scourge

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has inaugurated an Emergency Response Committee on Lassa Fever, following recent reported cases of the disease in the state.

    The committee, chaired by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab and Adegbenro, has the General Manager of Ondo State Waste Management Authority, Mrs Bola Akinyanmi, as its secretary.

    Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Funso Esan; Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Mr Alaba Isijola; Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Owo Local Government Council, Hon Benjamin Adebayo, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dipo Durojaye, Managing Director ZL Global Ltd, Dr Abiola Bashorun and Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi among others.

    The committee was charged to ensure that Lassa fever is flushed out of the state within the shortest possible time, and to embark on campaigns, advocacy visits to royal fathers and religious leaders and to identify an appropriate dump site for human wastes.

    Addressing reporters after its inaugural meeting, held at the Secretariat of Owo Local Government, Owo, Chairman of the Committee, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, said the committee was empowered to use all means available to it to checkmate attempts by anyone that may want to inhibit efforts at curtailing the incidences of Lassa Fever in the state.

    He said the sensitisation campaigns would be to crisscross the state on the need for residents to keep their environment clean and live hygienic lives at all times so that the primary carrier of the Lassa virus would not live in homes and to reduce the incidences of human to human transmissions.

    He said: “Our people need to maintain cleaner environments, shun the habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse around your homes so as not to attract rats. Government has set in motion immediate plans to evacuate all dumpsites to keep rats far away.

    “The original source is from rats to human, but we have lots of human to human transmission and this is more reason why it is imperative to report any suspicious case to nearest health facility where necessary tests would be carried out to ascertain if it’s malaria or not so as to have such patient appropriately referred.

    “It is part of our culture to care for our sick ones, but while doing that, we must be very careful bearing in mind, the outbreak of this deadly disease”, he said.

    Adegbenro said early detection and treatment of Lassa Fever, which he explained, has symptomatic evidences similar to malaria, will avoid its devastating effects like organs and kidney failure which could life-threatening and death.

    He further explained that visiting health facilities where appropriate diagnosis would be carried out, rather than administering treatment at home, self medication, remains the best way to detect the scourge earlier and prevent deaths.

    The Commissioner listed Lassa fever symptoms to include; abdominal pains, diarrhea and vomiting with blood stains while muriatic rashes in the body which occurs at the advance stage of the disease.

    He appealed to security agencies to ensure that people adhere to rules and regulations of operations as rights of individuals are suspended during outbreak.

  • Lassa fever: 42 confirmed dead, 538 cases reported in 16 states

    Forty-two lives have been claimed across the country by  a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    A total of 538 cases were reported in 16 states in the first 27 days of the year, the NCDC said in an update yesterday.

    However, only 213 of the reported cases tested positive, two were classified as probable and 325 negative.

    The NCDC put the fatality rate at 19.7%.

    The breakdown of the cases, state by state, reveals that 77 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo(24), Ondo(28),Ebonyi(5), Bauchi(3), Plateau(5),Taraba(3), Gombe(1),Kaduna(1), Kwara(1), FCT(1), Benue(2), Rivers(1) Kogi(1) and Enugu(1).

    States with new deaths are  Edo(4), Ondo(2), Benue(1), Rivers(1) Plateau(2) Taraba(1) and Bauchi(1).

    16 states (Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa and Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers Kogi and Enugu) have recorded at least one confirmed case across 40 local government areas.

    In the report, one new healthcare worker was affected in Enugu State.

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    A total of four healthcare workers have been affected since the onset of the outbreak in two states – Ondo (2), Ebonyi (1) and Enugu(1) with no death.

    102 patients are currently being managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) treatment Centre in Edo State (34) ; Federal Medical Centre, Owo,Ondo State (40); Bauchi (5); Plateau(8); Taraba(3); Ebonyi(6); and others(6) States.

    NCDC also said  a total of 2,070 contacts have been identified in  eight states.

    Of these 1673(80.8%) are currently being followed up, 361(17.4%) have completed 21 days follow up. 23(1.1%) symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 13 (0.6%) have tested positive from three states (Edo -2, Ebonyi-5 and Plateau-6 ).

    The World Health Organization (WHO)  yesterday said it was mobilizing experts to intervene with a view to containing the disease.

  • Lassa fever: 42 confirmed dead, 538 cases reported in 16 states

    *213 test positive

     

    Forty–two lives have been claimed across the country by a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    A total of 538 cases were reported in 16 states in the first 27 days of the year, the NCDC said in an update on Friday.

    However, only 213 of the reported cases tested positive, two were classified as probable and 325 negative.

    The NCDC put the fatality rate at 19.7%.

    The breakdown of the cases state by state reveals that 77 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo(24), Ondo(28), Ebonyi(5), Bauchi(3), Plateau(5), Taraba(3), Gombe(1), Kaduna(1), Kwara(1), FCT(1), Benue(2), Rivers(1) Kogi(1) and Enugu(1).

    States with new deaths are Edo(4), Ondo(2), Benue(1), Rivers(1) Plateau(2) Taraba(1) and Bauchi(1).

    Sixteen States (Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa and Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers Kogi and Enugu) have recorded at least one confirmed case across 40 Local Government Areas.

    In the report, one new healthcare worker was affected in Enugu State- contact of an Adamawa confirmed case.

    A total four health care workers have been affected since the onset of the outbreak in two States – Ondo (2), Ebonyi (1) and Enugu(1) with no death.

    One hundred and two patients are currently being managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) treatment Centre in Edo State (34) ; Federal Medical Centre, Owo,Ondo State (40); Bauchi (5); Plateau(8); Taraba(3); Ebonyi(6); and others(6) States.

    Read Also: Lassa fever: eight persons killed, 40 cases recorded in Plateau

    NCDC also said a total of 2070 contacts have been identified in eight states.

    Of these 1673(80.8%) are currently being followed up, 361(17.4%) have completed 21 days follow up. 23(1.1%) symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 13 (0.6%) have tested positive from three states (Edo -2, Ebonyi-5 and Plateau-6 ).

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it was mobilizing experts to intervene with a view to containing the disease.

    The experts according to the statement signed by Charity Warigon will assist in investigations, contact-tracing, risk communication.

    Besides, the world body is also planning to strengthen efforts to further assist Nigeria in controlling the Lassa fever outbreak.

  • Lassa Fever: eight persons killed, 40 cases recorded in Plateau

    Plateau State Commissioner for health, Dr Kuden Kamshak, has confirmed eight persons killed by Lassa Fever, with 40 cases recorded across the state so far.

    Kamshak made the disclosure on Thursday, during the Agenda for Social Behavioural Communication Committee (SBCC), Review Meeting, held in Jos.

    He described the situation as “worrisome”, and declared that government was working round the clock to curb the spread of the disease.

    The commissioner, who was represented by Mr Michael Pam, Director of the ministry’s Public Health Department, said that health officers had been deployed o various areas to curtail the situation so as to save lives.

    He warned members of the public against the danger of rodents, and cautioned against “indiscriminate handshakes”.

    Earlier, Hajia January Bello, Risk Communicator, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), had said that Lassa Fever was as deadly as Ebola.

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    “Lassa Fever is as deadly as Ebola. It is very devastating,” he said.

    She advised members of the public to inculcate the habit of personal and environmental hygiene to ward off contact with the disease.

    The risk communicator said that there were only four Lassa laboratory centres in Nigeria, while only two hospitals – Bingham University Teaching Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) – treat the disease.

    According to her, the laboratory centres are located in Edo, Lagos and Kaduna States, and the FCT Abuja. (NAN)

  • Panic in Plateau as Lassa fever kills five

    The Plateau State government said it has confirmed the spread of Lassa fever in five local government areas with five deaths.

    The outbreak was first reported in Jos North Local Government Area and it has reportedly spread to Jos South, Riyom, Bassa and Barkin Ladi local government areas within one week.

    Confirming the outbreak yesterday in Jos, the state capital, Health Commissioner Dr Kamshak Kuden said fresh cases of the fever had been traced to five local government areas with 17 reported cases.

    He said: “Thirty-three cases were initially suspected, but only the reported 17 were confirmed with five deaths so far.

    “Fifteen of the patients are currently being treated at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos while two others are in Jos University Teaching Hospital.

    “Consequently, a Rapid Response Team earlier constituted by Governor Simon Lalong has swung into action to curtail the spread of the disease.

    “The team met last week and is expected to meet again tomorrow (today) to chart a way forward on the development.

    “The governor has equally approved the release of funds for the infrastructural, manpower and other logistical needs of the team.”

    The Army headquarters’ 3 Division in Jos was said to have reported the death of a soldier from suspected Lassa fever ailment a fortnight ago.

    The soldier was said to have been admitted at Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos until his death.

    He reportedly contracted the fever after travelling to a neighbouring state.

    The suspected spread of the disease has been causing panic among Jos residents.

    It was learnt that the residents are scared of even exchanging pleasantries with neighbours and friends, especially in the markets, with many avoiding hospitals and other public places.

    Many others were said to be avoiding public intra-city transport vehicles.

    The state’s Christian communities yesterday organised special prayers against the spread of the fever.

    Also, the Ondo State government said it needs urgent assistance to prevent Lassa fever spread.

    Health Commissioner Dr Wahab Adegbenro spoke at an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the state capital.

    The commissioner said the fever had become endemic in the state.

    He said the development called for combined efforts among stakeholders as the government could not bear the burden alone.

    Adegbenro said the treatment of a Lassa fever patient costs at least N1.2 million, which he said was beyond what the state government alone could handle, considering the number of those infected.

    He urged the chairmen of affected local government areas, security agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to come up with strategies to tackle it and put it permanently at bay.

    The commissioner, who said an Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) was opened the previous day and an epidemiologist appointment, hailed the National Centre for Disease Control and other development partner for putting the outbreak under control.

  • Ebonyi records two deaths from Lassa fever

    Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the death of two persons in recent Lassa fever outbreak in the state this year.

    Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike, gave the confirmation in Abakaliki yesterday.

    According to him, 10 other cases have been recorded in the state, five of which have been treated and discharged.

    The other five are still receiving treatment at the Virology Centre built by the State government at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

    They are said to be in stable condition. The commissioner said the two deaths were as a result of late presentation.

    “One (of the dead) came from Enugu State. The deaths were due to late presentation, in fact, by the time the child came, he was already very bad, bleeding from different orifices which are the terminal stage. But the medical workers tried all they could but could not salvage the patient. The second one actually died before presentation”, he said.

    “The confirmed cases are 12. Five have been treated and discharged while five are on admission now doing very well.”

    Umezuruike said the Virology Centre, which is the only such centre in the entire Southeast, has all the facilities to treat such diseases.

    “The truth is that our management in the virology centre is almost like 100 percent success because we have the dialysis machines; we have all the facilities to test immediately and confirm whether the person has Lassa fever or not.”

    He, however, admonished residents and people of the region to always bring the suspected infected patients to the hospital on time so as to be able to save their lives

    “And once you confirm and commence treatment, the prognosis is always very good. Lassa fever is preventable and curable”, he said.

     

  • Lassa fever

    • We must contain it while ensuring it is eradicated in affected states

    The outbreak of Lassa fever in eight states gives cause for worry. It is however comforting that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is taking measures to control the spread, after ‘declaring an outbreak.’ Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in a statement said: “as of January 13, 2019, a total of 60 confirmed cases have been reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, FCT, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.”

    He added: “given this increase in reported cases of Lassa fever, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has declared this an outbreak and activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response.” According to him members of the local EOC will include representatives of World Health Organisation (WHO), the Federal Ministry of Environment and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the United States Centre for Disease Control and other partners.

    While commending the responders for their prompt response to the outbreak, we note that Lassa fever is basically a disease associated with poverty and the more lasting solution is to work to lift the populace from poverty. The states concerned must also do more than gearing to contain each outbreak, by educating their populace on preventive measures. They must be made aware of the common causes of the disease, which is contamination of food by rats.

    Confirming collaboration with the states, the DG said: “since the Lassa fever outbreak in 2018, NCDC has worked with states to ensure better preparedness and improved response.” He went on: “in the last one year, guidelines have been revised, new data management tools have been developed and the laboratory network has been strengthened.” This is a welcome development even as it points to the fact that Lassa fever has become an annual ritual with all its implications for the country.

    If we may ask, what have relevant Federal Government agencies done to permanently defeat the disease? Knowing the primary cause of the spread, why have they not collaborated to provide containers to preserve food items or even a vaccine against the disease? We however acknowledge the information that the NCDC has “developed a national research plan … to enable its full integration into the outbreak response to gain a better understanding of the disease.”

    While the NCDC is working at measures to control the spread of the disease, the national vaccine centres should be working to develop a preventive vaccine or an inoculation on rats to wipe away the disease. Perhaps the Federal Government may consider giving special grants to specialised institutions and universities to develop preventive vaccines as a long-term solution to this disease.

    To contain the present outbreak, every necessary measure should be put in place immediately by relevant agencies. We are happy to hear from the DG that “risk communications has been strengthened through radio, posters, flyers and social media.” The public must be educated on all the preventive measures listed by the DG which include “storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households,” amongst other measures.

    Personal hygiene like washing hands regularly is basic to contain the disease and jingles on that should be a regular feature in all the concerned states and their neighbours. It is a national embarrassment that Lassa fever keeps recurring in the country, when we know that cleanliness is next to godliness.

  • Lassa Fever: don’t panic over rising cases – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) says Nigerians need not panic over the rising cases of Lassa fever because it has initiated measures in response to the disease in the country.

    The advice was expressed in a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu in Abuja.

    Ihekweazu said that in preparation for this year’s emergency phase, NCDC had been providing support to states, including emergency supplies and deployment of Rapid Response Teams (RRT).

    He said that the RRTs would work with states in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication and strengthening infection prevention and control practices.

    “Recent epidemiological data shows that Lassa fever usually occurs during the dry season, between January and April.’’

    According to him, as at Jan. 13, about 60 confirmed cases were reported in eight states.

    ”Given this increase in reported cases of Lassa fever, the NCDC has declared this an outbreak and activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response,” he said.

    He said that given the increase in reported cases, the NCDC declared it as an outbreak and activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response.

    Ihekweazu, therefore, advised members of the public to focus on prevention by practising good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation.

    ”Take effective measures by 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 practised frequently. The public is also advised to avoid bush burning.

    ”Health care workers are again reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease-causing febrile illness such as malaria.

    ”Healthcare providers are advised to practise standard precautions at all times, and to maintain a high index of suspicion.”

    Ihekweazu advised that Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria.

    Read Also: Lassa Fever: Edo warns against self-medication

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

    ”The national guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control, as well as Lassa fever case management have been developed, disseminated to states and are available on the NCDC website for download,’’ he said.

    Ihekweazu reinstated Federal Government’s commitment to supporting all States’ public health teams to prevent and respond to public health threats.