Death toll of Lassa fever reaches 132 in five months

The latest Lassa fever outbreak report indicates that since the onset of the 2019 episode, there have been 132 deaths, with case fatality ratio (CFR) of 22.3 per cent in confirmed cases.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in its report, confirmed four new cases each from Edo and Ondo states, with one new death from the latter.

According to the NCDC, from January 1 to June 16, 2019, a total of 2,763 suspected cases have been reported from 22 states. Of these, 591 were confirmed positive and 15 probable.

The centre noted that Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi, Cross River and Zamfara have recorded at least one confirmed case across 83 councils.

According to the report, the predominant age group affected is 21 to 40 years, with the male to female ratio for confirmed cases at 1.2:1.

Though 18 health workers had been infected since the onset of the outbreak in nine states, in the week 24 report, no new health worker was affected.

NCDC said three patients were being managed at various treatment centres across the country: two at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo State, and one at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State.

The national Lassa fever multi-partner, Technical Working Group (TWG), continues to coordinate response activities at all levels, it added.

“Multi-sectoral One Health national rapid response teams have been deployed to Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Plateau and Bauchi to support field investigation and response activities.

“Enhanced surveillance is ongoing in all states following alert communication and a statement from NCDC. Treatment of Lassa fever cases is also ongoing at designated treatment centres across the country. Risk communication and community engagement activities continue in the states.”

World Health Organisation (WHO) described Lassa fever as a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur. The overall case fatality rate is one per cent; it is 15 per cent among patients hospitalised with severe illness. There is currently no approved vaccine. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.