Lassa Fever Spreads to 10 States, Kills 16 People
•107 suspected cases recorded in 2018
•As NCDC activates emergency operation centre
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has
confirmed the spread of Lassa fever in 10 states across the country with 107
suspected cases and 16 deaths recorded so far in 2018.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCDC, Dr.
Chikwe Ihekweazu, in a statement yesterday said following the increasing number
of Lassa fever cases reported, the Centre has activated its Emergency
Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response to the outbreak on behalf of
the Ministry of Health.
Ihekweazu said the EOC has deployed Rapid Response
Teams (RRTs) to the most affected States-Ebonyi, Ondo and Edo.
According to him, the RRTs are supporting the states
in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication
and strengthening infection prevention and control practices.
He said the emergency supplies have also been sent
to treatment centres in all affected states.
Ihekweazu said: "Since the beginning of 2018,
a total number of 107 suspected Lassa fever cases have been recorded in ten
states-Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and
Lagos.
"As at January 1, 2018, the total number of
confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten health care workers have
been infected in four States (Ebonyi - 7, Nasarawa -1, Kogi -1 and Benue -1)
with three deaths in Ebonyi State."
Speaking further, NCDC boss said the Centre is
collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, African Field
Epidemiology Network, United States Centres for Disease Control, University of
Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and
other agencies in supporting the response in the affected states.
He noted that Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic
illness, transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items
contaminated by infected rodents.
Ihekweazu explained that person-to-person
transmission can also occur, particularly in hospital environment in the
absence of adequate infection control measures.
According to the NCDC boss, health care workers in
health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease,
especially where infection prevention and control procedures are not strictly
adhered to. He however, stated that Lassa fever can be prevented through
practicing good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation.
Preventive measures, according to him, “include
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 practiced frequently.
Health care workers are again reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like
any other disease causing a febrile illness such as malaria, and are advised to
practice standard precautions at all times, maintaining a high index of
suspicion. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases
of malaria. When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness including
Lassa fever should be considered.
“Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment increase
the chances of survival. Family members who are providing care for patients
with Lassa fever should take extra caution."
In addition,
Ihekweazu encouraged the states to ensure safe and dignified burial practices
for patients who die from Lassa fever.
To this end, he said the National guidelines for Infection
Prevention and Control as well as Lassa fever case management has been
developed, disseminated to states and are available on the NCDC website for
download
He said NCDC remains committed to supporting all states’
public health teams to prevent and respond to public health threats.
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