Lassa Fever In Nigeria: Death Toll Hits An Alarming 127 People
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Lassa Fever in Nigeria’s death toll has reached an alarming number of 127 in 2022.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this update in its weekly situation report.
According to the report, this is the latest Lassa fever update from March 21 to March 27.
NCDC said there was a drop in the number of cases from 29 in week 11 to 22 cases in week 12.
According to the Disease control units, the new cases were recorded in these states:
So far, in 2022 about 3,542 suspected cases of Lassa Fever in Nigeria were recorded. The NCDC confirmed that out of the suspected cases, 681 tested positive.
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NCDC said:
“Cumulatively from week one to week 12, 2022, 127 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.6% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (21.3%).
“In total for 2022, 23 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 92 Local Government Areas. Of all confirmed cases, 67% are from Ondo (28%), Edo (24%) and Bauchi (15%) States.
“The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 80 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8″
According to the report, no health worker tested positive in week 12.
“The report indicated that no new Healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 12, adding that
the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Coordination Centre has been activated to coordinate response activities at all levels,” the agency stated.
What is Lassa Fever?
Lassa fever is a viral infection caused by Lassa virus and is passed from rats to humans and humans to humans. These viruses are contained in the excrete of rodents, especially rats.
Lassa fever is a severe haemorrhagic illness.
How does Lassa fever occur?
Humans can become infected through exposure to contaminated food or household items. The food can be contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.
The infection is endemic in the rodent population in some parts of West Africa. The notable places are:
There are, however, no records of other West Africa.
The World Health Organisation also confirmed that person-to-person infection. There is also the possibility of a laboratory transmission.
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The health agency revealed the real cause of human-to-human transmission. It said in health settings, the absence of adequate disease prevention and control.
In conclusion:
“Diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. The overall case-fatality rate is one per cent. Among patients who are hospitalised with severe clinical presentation of Lassa fever, case fatality is estimated at around 15 per cent. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.
“About 80 per cent of people who become infected with the Lassa virus have no symptoms. One in five infections results in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys.”
Source: PUNCH Health Wise
