The struggle with Lassa fever is far from being over in Nigeria. Nigeria and the some other parts of Africa are currently in a season of viral outbreak. The likes of coronavirus and Lassa Fever have dominated the media space since January.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that as at the 24th of January 2020 “195 confirmed cases and 29 deaths had been reported in 11 states” adding that “Of the confirmed cases, 89% are from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi States. There seems to be some form of good news here. According to NCDC“a decline in the case fatality rate of reported Lassa fever cases from 23.4% in 2019 to 14.8% this year”.
“Humans can contract the virus if they come into contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, via contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Symptoms usually develop after 6-21 days of initial transmission contact. They can include: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling and nosebleeds. In severe cases and without treatment, patients can begin bleeding from the mouth or nose and their lungs can fill with fluid.”
According to NCDC Lassa fever Situation Report between 13 (Monday) – 19 (Sunday) January 2020, nine states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 32 Local Government Areas. 89% of all confirmed cases are from Edo (38%), Ondo (38%) and Ebonyi (11%) states. Thankfully, it has not been reported in Lagos state. It says the “predominant age-group affected is 11-40 years (Range: >11 to 60 years, Median Age: 33 years).” This doesn’t mean it will stop there. All ages should take caution
WHO together with the NCDC and other partners are deploying teams to hotspots, identifying and treating patients, strengthening infection, prevention and control measures in health facilities, and engaging with communities across Nigeria and Africa.Lassa fever can be transmitted easily if you are not hygienically cautious. You have to keep an excellent sanitation condition. Try some of these preventive ways
· Keeping your environment: home, office, workshop clean
· Cover all foods and water properly. Do not leave remnants such that will make rats have access to licking your plate. Remember you are not going to sterilize your plates before use again
· Wash and cook food items like grains thoroughly
· Block all rats hideouts in your home, office/workshop
Lassa fever – a major public health challenge in West Africa is very endemic in Nigeria. According to research, this has been happening since the 50s and before was first reported in 1969. It was reported in 2012, 2016, 2017,2018, 2019 and now 2020.About 170 people declared dead from the virus in 2019. NCDC in 2018 said the epidemic was the “Nigeria’s largest on record, with the number of confirmed cases in January and February alone exceeding the total number reported in the whole of 2017.”
