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.
