Introduction:
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports new cases of Lassa fever and 20 deaths across 16 states within one week, spanning from February 26 to March 3.
Increasing Cases and Fatalities:
The NCDC notes a rise in confirmed cases from 96 in the previous week, highlighting the persistent threat posed by Lassa fever. Despite efforts, the country continues to face new cases and fatalities.
Symptoms and Transmission:
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted through contact with contaminated rodents, food, or household items. Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding.
Epidemiological Data:
The report reveals 109 cases registered in one week, totaling 682 confirmed cases and 128 deaths from weeks one to nine of 2024. The case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 18.8%, higher than the previous year’s CFR of 16.1%.
Geographical Distribution:
Affected states include Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Benue, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kaduna, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Adamawa, Anambra, Rivers, Ogun, and Oyo. Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi account for 62% of confirmed cases.
Demographic Impact:
Individuals aged 31 to 40 years are predominantly affected, with a male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases of 1:0.9. Eight healthcare workers were affected during reporting week nine.
Response and Coordination:
The National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral incident management system is activated to coordinate response efforts at all levels through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
In conclusion,the situation remains concerning as Lassa fever cases persist, prompting intensified efforts to control the outbreak and mitigate its impact on public health.
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CREDIT: Doris Chinwe Omemgbeoji