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Tag: Lassa fever

  • Lassa Fever: FCTA Raises Alarm Over Two Cases in FCT

    Lassa Fever: FCTA Raises Alarm Over Two Cases in FCT

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has raised alarm over two confirmed cases of Lassa Fever as the fever resurfaces in the territory.

    The FCTA’s Secretary, Health and Environmental Services Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe made this announcement on Monday in Abuja.

    Dr. Fasewa stated that already two cases were established, but no mortality, after an alert of Lassa Fever her Secretariat received from a clinician in Bwari General Hospital.

    Fasawe noted that investigations that were immediately initiated, revealed the cases in children aged 14 months and 13 years old respectively, who became high risk after they had contacts with their mother in Bauchi.

    She stated that after their mother died of Lassa Fever in Bauchi, their father brought them back to Abuja, where the 14 months tested positive, while the 13 years old was negative.

    It was also revealed that the second positive case was reported by clinicians at the Abuja University Teaching Hospital, and is currently receiving care.

    She further warned residents to stop exposing their foods to the reach of rats, and to also cultivate the habit of reporting strange symptoms to the nearest health centres.

    Daybreak reports that on the 15th of January, 2024, the FCT Public Health Department received an alert of Lassa Fever from a Clinician in Bwari General hospital ( BGH). A rapid response team was mobilised to investigate the cases.

    ” Investigation revealed that they were High risk contacts of their mother. Samples were collected and sent to the National Reference Lab for confirmation.

    ” The mother was a confirmed case, diagnosed at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Following her demise, the father travelled on the 9th of January, 2024 to Bauchi to bring back the children who had accompanied their mother to Bauchi and returned to the FCT on the 12th of January, 2024.

    ” The Public Health Department, PHD , investigated them and daily monitored them for symptoms. The results came back position on the 14 months old and negative for the 13 year old”.

  • NCDC records 846 Lassa Fever Cases, 148 Deaths

    NCDC records 846 Lassa Fever Cases, 148 Deaths

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 846 Lassa fever cases across 99 Local Government Areas in 25 states.

    The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years and the male-to-female ratio for the confirmed cases is 10:9.

    The NCDC, in its week 13 situation report on Thursday, said the suspected cases is now 4,338 and the disease has killed no fewer than 148 persons in the country.

    With the current death toll, the agency noted that the case-fatality ratio of the outbreak stood at 17.5 per cent.

    The report showed that the 23 new cases recorded from March 27 to April 2, 2023, were recorded from Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Oyo, and Kebbi States.

    “Cumulatively from week one to week 13, 2023, 148 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 per cent).

    “In total for 2023, 25 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 99 Local Government Areas.

    “Seventy-two of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 28 per cent were reported from four states with confirmed.

    Lassa fever cases. Of the 72 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 32 per cent, Edo 29 per cent, and Bauchi 11 per cent.”

    So far this year, the disease has infected 39 healthcare workers in Nigeria.

  • Lassa Fever Death Toll in Nigeria Increases to 171 – NCDC

    Lassa Fever Death Toll in Nigeria Increases to 171 – NCDC

    Eight additional Lassa fever infections and one death was recorded in the country between September 5 and 11, 2022, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

    This brings the total number of confirmed cases and deaths in the country to 917 and 171, respectively.

    The health agency which revealed that a total of 6,660 suspected cases have been reported in the country, added that 25 states had recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 local government areas.

    In the new confirmed cases, Ondo accounted for 32 percent, Edo 26 percent, and Bauchi 13 percent.

    The statement read;

    “In week 36 [September 5 to 11, 2022], the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 10 in week 35, 2022 to 8 cases. These were reported from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Anambra states.

    “Cumulatively from week 1 to week 36, 2022, 171 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.6 people which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (23.3 percent).

    “The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

    “The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021. No new healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 36.”

    Nigerians have been advised to ensure proper environmental sanitation, block all holes in houses to prevent rats from entering, cover dustbins, and dispose of refuse properly.

  • Lassa fever outbreak In Kogi, Over 20 patients admitted in Iruah hospital

    Lassa fever outbreak In Kogi, Over 20 patients admitted in Iruah hospital

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    A suspected Lassa fever outbreak hits Ibaji community as over 20 patients from Ibaji local government area of Kogi state are currently taking treatment at irruah specialist teaching hospital in Edo state.

    The outbreak of the lassa fever in the area was said to have caused panic in the local government where there is no functional hospital to take care of the disease.

    Meanwhile, the state epidemiological unit in collaboration with Kogi State ministry of health has taken a proactive step to prevent escalation.

    The Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on health matters, Abu Jibril Okikiri, while reacting to the outbreak said the affected persons were three.

    “As at today, case of lassa fever record for Ibaji LGA that are currently on care at Irruah specialist teaching hospital are just three, however, it is an outbreak because it is a notifiable disease.

    A source from the local government area who preferred anonymity, said the number of people affected who are currently receiving treatment at Irruah hospital were more than the number claimed by the adviser.

  • Lassa fever: Nigeria discivers 3 Drugs For Treatment

    Lassa fever: Nigeria discivers 3 Drugs For Treatment

    By Becky Adi

    The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has identified three candidate drugs to be repositioned and repurposed for the treatment and eradication of Lassa fever.

    Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of NABDA, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

    Mustapha said scientists at the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department of the agency, led by its Director, Prof. Oyekanmi Nash, in collaboration with other researchers spearheaded the research.

    “This is NABDA’s contribution towards finding a lasting solution to Lassa fever disease in Nigeria.

    “Diseases are increasing on a yearly basis. So, NABDA has repositioned and repurposed three candidate drugs for the treatment of Lassa fever,’’ he said.

    He expressed optimism that the drugs would address the challenges faced in treating patients diagnosed with Lassa fever ailment.

    The NABDA boss recalled that on Wednesday, March 2, eminent scientists, researchers, medical practitioners and technology experts held a meeting in Abuja.

    He said objective of the meeting was to discuss the method and processes of putting the drugs on clinical trial towards meeting plans to completely eradicate Lassa fever in Nigeria.

    He added that with the breakthrough the challenge was to intensify surveillance and response by ensuring availability of diagnostic centres across most affected regions.

    Mustapha said although funding was a major setback to research, he expressed optimism that the 0.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), allocated to research and innovation by President Muhammadu Buhari could assist.

    He said the allocation was encouraging, and that scientists should be happy about it.

    “ I hope it will be implemented before another administration comes to power for it will not only propel research but will encourage scientists in Diaspora to come home and help develop our nation,” he said.

    Prof. Oyekanmi Nash, Director of Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics of the NABDA, noted that Lassa fever is a ravishing disease peculiar to Nigeria and West Africa.

    He said Lassa fever had been without drugs in Nigeria for almost 50 years.

    “Fortunately, science has advanced to the point where already approved drugs can be repositioned for a new disease.

    Nash also said the objectives of the stakeholders’ meeting of March 2, was to review the Lassa virus evolution in the last 50 years.

    He said they also reviewed the outgoing treatment options and gaps, presented and assessed opportunities for the repurposed candidate, as well as developed a robust trial plan.

    Speaking in an interview, Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director-General, Nigeria Medical Research Institute, one of the attendees at the meeting, said Lassa fever required special funding.

    Salako said moving science forward in Nigeria required all scientific institutes in the country to work together, in order to make progress.

    “Lassa fever happens to be one disease in Nigeria that we haven’t been able to find solution and it is a problem that is peculiar to Africa especially to the West African sub region.

    “Researchers in NABDA and their colleagues were able to come up with a repurpose agent that we can use to tackle the menace of Lassa fever in Nigeria,” he added

  • Lassa fever: 40 die, 4 health workers infected–NSCDC

    Lassa fever: 40 die, 4 health workers infected–NSCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 40 Lassa fever-related deaths in January, adding that four health workers were also infected.

    According to NCDC latest update on its verified website on Sunday, the public agency is currently distributing medical response commodities to states and treatment centres.

    In January 2022, the 40 deaths and 981 cases reported were across 43 local government areas in 14 states.

    “Cumulatively from Week 1 to Week 4, 2022, 49 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19.0 per cent.

    “For 2022, 14 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 43 local government areas. Of all confirmed cases, 82% are from the following states as follows – Ondo (30%), Edo (27%) and Bauchi (25%).

    “The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years. The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021”

    Nigeria records 87 new COVID-19 infections
    “Four health workers have been infected so far, 233 cases undergoing treatment, 617 cases undergoing contact tracing while 968 have been listed for follow up.”

    Almost all Nigerian states have recorded a suspected number of infections.

    “The main feature of the fatal illness is impaired or delayed cellular immunity leading to fulminant viraemia.

    “This is why health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, be vigilant and look out for symptoms of Lassa fever. Not all fevers are malaria,” it added.

    Since, the last outbreak of the virus in 2016, the health agency noted that there had been an increase in the number of cases in the country.

    Attempts are being made to produce a vaccine using the yellow fever virus as a vehicle.

  • Lassa Fever killed 19 in Bauchi

    Lassa Fever killed 19 in Bauchi

    No fewer than 19 persons have died of Lassa fever between January and November 2020 in Toro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

    This is as the state confirmed 22 positive cases of yellow fever in Ganjuwa LGA out of the 63 samples tested.

    Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, made the disclosure yesterday while giving a situation update of Lassa and yellow fever in the state.

    Mohammed also said the state has already has received 4 million doses of yellow fever vaccine from the federal government adding that vaccination will be conducted in January 2021 with the target population of ages 1 to 44 who are vulnerable.

    The BASPHCDA chairman added that efforts are on to ensure that the yellow fever outbreak did not spread to other LGAs in the state as well as neighbouring states of Kano and Jigawa.

    He said further that the vaccination for yellow fever will be conducted in 19 LGAs in the state with the exception of Alkaleri which had its vaccination in 2019 due to the outbreak there.

    Rilwanu Mohammed, however, lamented that the Agency is worried because of the apathy being exhibited by people who are refusing to be vaccinated in spite of the education and enlightenment programs embarked upon by the agency.

  • Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak hits 193

    Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak hits 193

    The death toll from the Lassa fean outbreak of Lassa fever has risen to 173, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.

    The NCDC said that this represents a Case Fatality Rate (CFR), of 18.9 per cent.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, told Our Correspondent, on Friday in Abuja, while giving an update of on the Lassa fever outbreak that amidst the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), outbreak in the country, the agency has continued to manage a national Lassa fever outbreak.

    He said that in week 12, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 51 cases in week 11, to 28 cases.

    The NCDC DG said that these were reported case in 12 states, Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, FCT, Benue and Gombe.

    “This is cumulatively from week one to week 12., 173 deaths have been reported with CFR of 18.9 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 with 22.9 per cent.

    “In total for 2020, 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 Local Government Areas.

    “Of all confirmed cases, 72 per cent are from three states, which are Edo,with  33 per cent, Ondo with 32 per cent and Ebonyi with seven  per cent.

    “The predominant age-group affected is 21 to 30 years, range: from one to 78 years, Median Age: 33 years. The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.2,” he explained.

    Ihekweazu said that the number of suspected cases had significantly increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2019.

    ”With joy that there were no healthcare workers affected in the reporting week 12,” he said.

    The NCDC DG said the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) had  been activated to coordinate response activities across states.

    “Of the states with confirmed cases, eight of them have activated state- level EOCs

    National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed from NCDC to support response activities in 10 States.

    “Surge staff Doctors, Nurses, Laboratorians and Hygienist, are deployed to ISTH and FMC Owo. And also State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre activated in affected States,” he said.

    According to him, the five molecular laboratories for Lassa fever testing in the NCDC network are working full capacity to ensure that all samples are tested and results provided within the shortest turnaround time

    He said that NCDC was working to support every state in Nigeria to identify one treatment centre, while supporting existing ones with care, treatment and IPC commodities.

    Ihekweazu said that the risk communications and community engagement activities have been scaled up across states using television, radio, print, social media and other strategies.

    He, however added that there was an Implementation of Lassa fever Environmental response campaign in high burden states by Federal Ministry of Environment.

    Ihekweazu stressed that Lassa fever is a disease spread to humans through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

    “In 80 per cent of cases, the fever is asymptomatic, but for some, the symptoms include high fever, headache, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, haemorrhaging under the skin and heart and kidney failure.

    “It has an incubation period of between six and 21 days and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person via bodily fluids and excretion.

    He advised Nigerians on a more effective personal hygiene, storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, and disposing of garbage far from their  homes to help sustain clean households.

  • Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak hits 193

    Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak hits 193

    The death toll from the Lassa fean outbreak of Lassa fever has risen to 173, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.

    The NCDC said that this represents a Case Fatality Rate (CFR), of 18.9 per cent.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abuja, while giving an update of on the Lassa fever outbreak that amidst the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), outbreak in the country, the agency has continued to manage a national Lassa fever outbreak.

    He said that in week 12, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 51 cases in week 11, to 28 cases.

    The NCDC DG said that these were reported case in 12 states, Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, FCT, Benue and Gombe.

    “This is cumulatively from week one to week 12., 173 deaths have been reported with CFR of 18.9 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 with 22.9 per cent.

    “In total for 2020, 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 Local Government Areas.

    “Of all confirmed cases, 72 per cent are from three states, which are Edo,with 33 per cent, Ondo with 32 per cent and Ebonyi with seven per cent.

    “The predominant age-group affected is 21 to 30 years, range: from one to 78 years, Median Age: 33 years. The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.2,” he explained.

    Ihekweazu said that the number of suspected cases had significantly increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2019.

    ”With joy that there were no healthcare workers affected in the reporting week 12,” he said.

    The NCDC DG said the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) had been activated to coordinate response activities across states.

    “Of the states with confirmed cases, eight of them have activated state- level EOCs

    National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed from NCDC to support response activities in 10 States.

    “Surge staff Doctors, Nurses, Laboratorians and Hygienist, are deployed to ISTH and FMC Owo. And also State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre activated in affected States,” he said.

    According to him, the five molecular laboratories for Lassa fever testing in the NCDC network are working full capacity to ensure that all samples are tested and results provided within the shortest turnaround time

    He said that NCDC was working to support every state in Nigeria to identify one treatment centre, while supporting existing ones with care, treatment and IPC commodities.

    Ihekweazu said that the risk communications and community engagement activities have been scaled up across states using television, radio, print, social media and other strategies.

    He, however added that there was an Implementation of Lassa fever Environmental response campaign in high burden states by Federal Ministry of Environment.

    Ihekweazu stressed that Lassa fever is a disease spread to humans through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

    “In 80 per cent of cases, the fever is asymptomatic, but for some, the symptoms include high fever, headache, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, haemorrhaging under the skin and heart and kidney failure.

    “It has an incubation period of between six and 21 days and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person via bodily fluids and excretion.

    He advised Nigerians on a more effective personal hygiene, storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, and disposing of garbage far from their homes to help sustain clean households. (NAN)

  • Epidemiologist confirms 2 cases of Lassa fever, 7 deaths from strange disease in Benue

    Epidemiologist confirms 2 cases of Lassa fever, 7 deaths from strange disease in Benue

    The Benue State Epidemiologist, Dr Samuel Ngishe, has confirmed two cases of Lassa fever and 7 deaths from a strange disease in the state.

    Nyitse told News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Makurdi that the two cases of lassa fever were reported from Guma and Ogbadibo local government areas of the state.

    He said the tests conducted on the patients turned positive while they had been quarantined within health facilities.

    On the strange deaths that killed 7 people, the medical expert said all the victims were from Obi and Oju and said that they did not die on account of Lassa fever.

    He said: ” As at Friday, Feb. 12, 2020, only seven persons lost their lives. Other deaths were unrelated to the issue.

    “The five cases in the areas when tested proved negative to lassa fever.

    “As we speak with you now, yellow fever is at the back of our thoughts. However, the few samples that we tested proved negative to it.

    “Notwithstanding, we are still waiting one component of the results to be out before we conclude. We are taking a larger population for testing in order to ascertain the exact situation.

    “We were suspecting yellow fever because there was an outbreak of the disease in Ebonyi and Oye-Obi community shares a boundary with Ebonyi.

    “In fact, it is only the river Obi that is separating them. When the outbreak occurred the people of Ado Local Government Area of the state were vaccinated against it but the people of Obi were not.

    “We have sent samples to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja. So, for now, we cannot categorically say that the deaths were as a result of the chemicals or yellow fever.

    “We got information that toward the end of last year some people applied gemmalin 20 into river Obi with the aim of catching fish for consumption.

    “The river is not a fast flowing type, so the effect of the chemicals can still have effect on living things,” he said.

    According to Nyitse, they are suspecting that the disease or deaths could be as a result of the Gammalin 20 that was emptied into the river.

    He said another Lassa fever case had been confirmed in the state.

    “The result of this case came out over the weekend. The victim hails from Guma Local Government Area of the state,” he said.