Lasser Fever Outbreak In Nigeria 2023


Lasser Fever Outbreak In Nigeria 2023 ...  According to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Nigeria records 189 Lassa fever deaths

According to the report, the number of reported deaths with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.7 percent was lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022. (20.0 percent).

According to the NCDC, the number of suspected cases has increased since the same period in 2022. In other words, by the end of 2023, Nigeria had recorded more suspected Lassa fever cases than in the same period in 2022.

"In total for 2023, 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 LGAs, and 72 percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi)," while 23 percent were reported from 24 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

According to the Agency, Of the 72 percent of confirmed cases, Ondo State reported 33%, Edo 25%, and Bauchi 14%.

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According to the report, the majority of those affected are between the ages of 21 and 30, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8 for confirmed cases.

The Agency reported that the number of new confirmed cases fell from 17 in week 51, 2023, to 12 in week 52. These were reported from the states of Edo, Ebonyi, and Benue.

The Agency reports that no new healthcare workers were affected in reporting week 52.

The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate response activities at all levels, according to the Agency.

Lassa fever is an acute viral illness transmitted by the common African rat (Mastomys). It is found in West African countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria.

Annually, 100,000 to 300,000 Lassa fever infections occur, with approximately 5,000 deaths.

Ribavirin, an antiviral medication, has been used successfully in Lassa fever patients. It has been demonstrated that it is most effective when administered early in the course of the illness.

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A suspected case is defined as any person who has one or more of the following symptoms: malaise, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, chest pain, hearing loss, and either a history of contact with rodent excreta or urine, or contact with a probable or confirmed Lassa fever case within 21 days of onset of symptoms, or any person who has inexplicable bleeding/hemorrhagia.

According to the Agency, a confirmed case is any suspected case with laboratory confirmation, whereas a probable case is any suspected case that died or absconded without specimen collection for laboratory testing. By avoiding contact with the vector, the primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be avoided.

FAQs Related To Lasser Fever Outbreak In Nigeria 2023

Who is most at risk for Lassa fever?

Individuals who live in or visit endemic areas, such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria, and have been exposed to the multimammate rat, are most at risk of Lassa virus infection. There is a risk of exposure in other West African countries where Mastomys rodents exist.

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In which country Lassa fever is spreading very fast?

Lassa fever is a zoonotic, or animal-borne, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat. It is found in West African countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria. Because the animal vector lives throughout the region, neighboring countries are also at risk.

Does Lassa fever still exist?

Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria are examples. Lassa Fever has a 1% overall case fatality rate. The annual number of Lassa virus infections in West Africa is estimated to be 100,000 to 300,000, with 5,000 deaths.

How can I protect myself from Lassa fever?

Wearing protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles; using infection control measures, such as complete equipment sterilization; and isolating infected patients from contact with unprotected individuals until the disease has run its course are examples of such precautions.

Can Lassa spread person to person?

Lassa virus is not spread through casual contact (including skin-to-skin contact without the exchange of bodily fluids). Person-to-person transmission (also known as nosocomial transmission) is common in healthcare settings where proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is not available or is not used.

Is Lassa fever like Ebola?

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Lassa fever is not the same as Ebola, the disease that is causing the current outbreak in West Africa. Although Lassa fever and Ebola have symptoms that are similar, Lassa fever is less likely to spread from person to person and is far less deadly.

Which state is affected by Lassa fever in Nigeria?

Eighty-two percent of confirmed cases are from three states: Ondo (63), Edo (57), and Bauchi (53).

What is the death rate of Lassa fever in Nigeria?

Annually, 100,000 to 300,000 Lassa fever infections occur, with approximately 5,000 deaths.

Is Lassa fever worse than Ebola?

Although Lassa fever and Ebola have symptoms that are similar, Lassa fever is less likely to spread from person to person and is far less deadly. The death rate from Lassa fever is about 1%, compared to about 70% for Ebola.

Can Lassa fever be cured?

Lassa fever is a zoonosis transmitted by rodents that causes an acute hemorrhagic fever. Ribavarin is used to treat it. Surviving Lassa fever without the antiviral drug ribavarin is unusual. To date, only a few cases have been documented.

Is Lassa fever in Oyo State?

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Between January 2022 and January 5th, 2023, OYO State recorded five deaths from 25 confirmed cases and 121 suspected cases of Lassa fever infection.

Can rat bite cause Lassa fever?

Humans are usually infected with the Lassa virus after coming into contact with the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus can also be transmitted between humans through direct contact with a person infected with Lassa fever's blood, urine, feces, or other bodily secretions.




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