Nigeria has recorded 2,621 suspected cases of Lassa fever and and 84 deaths with a case fatality rate of 18.6 per cent.
Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) , Dr Jide Idris who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, noted that 476 cases were confirmed from the suspected cases in 84 Local Government Areas, across 23 states as at February 18, 2024.
Idris stated that the NCDC was yesterday notified by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health of the report of deaths from suspected viral hemorrhagic fever at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna adding that following this notification, the center has been working with both institutions to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the suspected cases as well as ramp up response activities.
He said, “Four of the six blood samples from suspected cases sent to the Bayero University Teaching Hospital in Kano have been confirmed for Lassa fever. Furthermore, twenty-five close contacts of all these cases are now under follow up and placed on prophylactic medicine.
“The State Ministry of Health has also activated their Incident Management System with all the response pillars including intensified risk communication and community engagement for the prevention and control of Lassa fever in the affected communities.
“As at February 18, 2024 (end of week 7), 84 Local Government Areas in 23 states of the country have reported a total of 2,621 suspected cases, 476 confirmed, and 84 deaths with a case fatality rate of 18.6 per cent. Our condolences go to the families and friends of those (including the health workers) who lost their lives to this disease across the country.”
Idris observed that the NCDC’s activated multi-sectoral multi-disciplinary Incident Management System has distribution of medical supplies for case management, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnosis, etc. in all Lassafever treatment centers in the country, among others.
The Director General urged Nigerians to always keep their environment clean, and block all holes in your house to prevent the entry of rats and other rodents and urged healthcare workers to always practice standard infection prevention and control practices.
He said, ‘Cover your waste bins and dispose your refuse properly, communities should set up dump sites far from their homes to reduce the chances of the entry of rodents into their homes, safely store food items such as rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc., in tightly sealed or well-covered containers.
“Avoid drying food stuff outside on the ground or roadside, where it is at risk of contamination, discourage bush burning as this destroys the homes and food sources of rodents and drives them to migrate from the bushes to human residences to find food, eliminate rats in homes and communities by using rat traps and other appropriate and safe means.
“At all times, practice good personal and hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap under running water or using hand sanitisers when necessary, visit the nearest health facility if you notice any of the signs and symptoms associated with Lassa fever. This is essential because early identification and treatment of cases appear to be more effective and can save lives, and avoid self-medication to ensure proper diagnosis and early treatment.”
