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Nigeria: Lassa fever outbreak kills 149 to date in 23 states, 273 cases

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  • #31
    WHO Factsheet on Lassa Fever.
    Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 1-4 weeks duration that occurs in West Africa.

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    • #32
      Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/27-may-20...er-nigeria/en/ Lassa Fever ? Nigeria

      Disease outbreak news
      27 May 2016

      Between August 2015 and 17 May 2016, WHO has been notified of 273 cases of Lassa fever, including 149 deaths in Nigeria. Of these, 165 cases and 89 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing (CFR: 53.9%). The cases were reported from 23 states in Nigeria.
      Since August 2015, ten health care workers (HCW) have been infected with Lassa fever virus, of which two have died. Of these ten cases, four were nosocomial infections.
      As of 17 May 2016, 8 states are currently reporting Lassa fever cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed), deaths and/or following of contacts for the maximum 21-day incubation period. Currently, 248 contacts are being followed up in the country. The other 15 previously affected states have completed the 42-day period following last known possible transmission.
      Public health response

      Currently, two national laboratories are supporting the laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. All the samples were also tested for Ebola, Dengue, Yellow fever and so far have tested negative. The two laboratories that are currently operational are:
      • Virology laboratory, Lagos University Teaching Hospital
      • Lassa fever research and control centre, Irrua specialist hospital

      Along with other key partners, WHO is supporting ministry of health in surveillance and response of Lassa fever outbreaks including contacts tracing, follow up and community mobilization. One of a concern since the onset of Lassa fever outbreaks is the high proportion of deaths among the cases that is still under investigation.
      WHO Risk Assessment

      Overall, the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria shows a declining trend. Considering the seasonal peaks in previous years, improvements in community and health care worker awareness, preparedness and general response activities, the risk of a larger-scale outbreak is low. Nevertheless, close monitoring, active case search, contact tracing, laboratory support and disease awareness (both in community in general and specific training for health care workers) should continue.
      WHO Advice

      Considering the seasonal flare ups of cases during this time of the year, countries in West Africa that are endemic for Lassa fever are encouraged to strengthen their related surveillance systems.
      Health-care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with the patient?s blood and body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with Lassa fever, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures).
      Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples taken from humans and animals for investigation of Lassa virus infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories under maximum biological containment conditions.
      The diagnosis of Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from areas where Lassa fever is endemic. Health-care workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.
      WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction to Nigeria based on the current information available.


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      • #33
        Lassa Fever ? Nigeria

        Disease outbreak news
        27 May 2016

        Between August 2015 and 17 May 2016, WHO has been notified of 273 cases of Lassa fever, including 149 deaths in Nigeria. Of these, 165 cases and 89 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing (CFR: 53.9%). The cases were reported from 23 states in Nigeria.

        Since August 2015, ten health care workers (HCW) have been infected with Lassa fever virus, of which two have died. Of these ten cases, four were nosocomial infections.

        As of 17 May 2016, 8 states are currently reporting Lassa fever cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed), deaths and/or following of contacts for the maximum 21-day incubation period. Currently, 248 contacts are being followed up in the country. The other 15 previously affected states have completed the 42-day period following last known possible transmission.

        Public health response

        Currently, two national laboratories are supporting the laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. All the samples were also tested for Ebola, Dengue, Yellow fever and so far have tested negative. The two laboratories that are currently operational are:

        Virology laboratory, Lagos University Teaching Hospital
        Lassa fever research and control centre, Irrua specialist hospital
        Along with other key partners, WHO is supporting ministry of health in surveillance and response of Lassa fever outbreaks including contacts tracing, follow up and community mobilization. One of a concern since the onset of Lassa fever outbreaks is the high proportion of deaths among the cases that is still under investigation.

        WHO Risk Assessment

        Overall, the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria shows a declining trend. Considering the seasonal peaks in previous years, improvements in community and health care worker awareness, preparedness and general response activities, the risk of a larger-scale outbreak is low. Nevertheless, close monitoring, active case search, contact tracing, laboratory support and disease awareness (both in community in general and specific training for health care workers) should continue.

        WHO Advice

        Considering the seasonal flare ups of cases during this time of the year, countries in West Africa that are endemic for Lassa fever are encouraged to strengthen their related surveillance systems.

        Health-care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with the patient?s blood and body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with Lassa fever, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures).

        Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples taken from humans and animals for investigation of Lassa virus infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories under maximum biological containment conditions.

        The diagnosis of Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from areas where Lassa fever is endemic. Health-care workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.

        WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction to Nigeria based on the current information available.
        Twitter: @RonanKelly13
        The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

        Comment


        • #34
          Source: http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/06/l...es-in-nigeria/


          Lassa Fever claims 149 lives in Nigeria
          Jun 14 2016 - 1:14pm
          Kazeem Ugbodaga

          The deadly Lassa Fever has claimed 149 lives in Nigeria in the last nine months, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has revealed.

          Recent report released by the organisation on the situation of Lassa Fever in Nigeria showed that between August 2015 and 17 May 2016, the deadly fever killed 149 people.

          During this period, WHO said it was notified of 273 cases of Lassa fever, including 149 deaths in Nigeria.

          ?Of these, 165 cases and 89 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing (CFR: 53.9%). The cases were reported from 23 states in Nigeria. Since August 2015, ten health care workers have been infected with Lassa fever virus, of which two have died. Of these ten cases, four were nosocomial infections.

          ?As of 17 May, 2016, eight states are currently reporting Lassa fever cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed), deaths and/or following of contacts for the maximum 21-day incubation period. Currently, 248 contacts are being followed up in the country. The other 15 previously affected states have completed the 42-day period following last known possible transmission,? the report said...

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          • #35
            Delta State Records New Case Of Lassa Fever

            Channels Television.
            Updated August 22, 2016
            ...
            The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge on Monday confirmed the case and the death of a medical doctor who resides and owns a hospital in Asaba.

            He stated that the doctor died three hours after admission at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, after a blood sample earlier collected was confirmed to be positive.
            ...


            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            59 Lassa fever contacts identified in Delta and Anambra

            Azeez Adeniyi August 24, 2016

            The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has identified no fewer than 59 people who might have had direct contact with Lassa fever victims in Delta and Anambra states.
            ...
            According to Ihekweazu, a 54-year-old man had presented himself at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra state for treatment but was confirmed to have the disease on August 17, 2016, the next day.

            Ihekweazu said, ?On presentation at the Accident and Emergency of NAUTH, Lassa fever was suspected, blood samples were collected and sent to the reference laboratory at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, where the diagnosis of Lassa fever was confirmed. He died within an hour of admission.

            ?The state public health authorities in Anambra and Delta states have commenced a public health response including epidemiological investigations, contact tracing and the prepositioning of drugs and supplies. As of August 22, 2016 (Monday), 40 contacts have been identified in Delta State and 19 in Anambra State. All contacts are currently being monitored for symptoms of Lassa fever.
            ...
            The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has identified no fewer than 59 people who might have had direct contact…
            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
            -Nelson Mandela

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            • #36
              Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fresh-outbre...orded-4-states

              Fresh outbreak of Lassa fever recorded in 4 states
              September 02, 2016
              21:30

              The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed five cases of Lassa Fever in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Rivers states.

              Chikwe Ihekweazu, chief executive officer, NCDC, disclosed this on Friday, saying two cases were reported from Plateau and one each from Rivers, Bauchi and Gombe.

              Ihekweazu said the victim from Gombe died on August 22, while others are still alive.

              He said public health response commenced immediately in all the affected states under the leadership of the respective state?s ministries of health.

              According to him, resources were immediately mobilised from NCDC and its partner, the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), to support the investigation and management of cases in the affected states...

              Comment


              • #37
                Government Confirms Outbreak of Lassa Fever in Plateau

                September 7, 2016

                The Plateau State Government has confirmed that it has recorded 10 cases of suspected Lassa fever, noting that out of the 10, two have been confirmed by laboratory screening.

                This was revealed at a joint ministerial press briefing in Jos yesterday by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kunden Deyin, who said: “We have screened seven persons previously; among them were a Fulani lady, who is now responding to treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), and a student of the University of Jos. And this morning again, we have three other suspected cases.”

                The commissioner stressed the need to control the outbreak of the disease through preventive measures of adhering to basic hygiene and ensuring that people consume only clean food and water free from rat contamination.
                Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Plateau State Government has confirmed that it has recorded 10 cases of suspected Lassa fever, noting that out of the 10, two have been confirmed by laboratory screening. …
                ?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
                Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet

                ~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~

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                • #38
                  Nigeria records 154 Lassa fever deaths in one year
                  ON SEPTEMBER 6, 20167:35 PMIN HEALTH, NEWSCOMMENTS
                  By Gabriel Olawale

                  RECENTLY, a medical doctor and two others died of Lassa fever in Anambra State. Another fatality recorded in Delta State also involved a medical doctor, while a third death in Gombe State, puts the total recorded Lassa fever cases in the country at 284 with 154 deaths from August 2015 to date.
                  ...

                  Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/n...aths-one-year/
                  Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                  The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Lassa fever kills 2 in Abeokuta
                    ? 21st December 2016
                    ? Health minister directs NCDC to release result of investigation

                    From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

                    Four months after Ogun State Government declared the state is Lassa fever-free, the viral disease, known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF) has killed an assistant nursing officer, Adesuyi Abolanle and a mortuary attendant, whose identity could not be ascertained as at the time of writing this report.
                    Adesuyi was said to have attended to a suspected Lassa fever patient, while the morgue attendant handled the corpse.
                    Worried about the successive death of the duo, the hospital management commissioned a test at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
                    ...
                    … Health minister directs NCDC to release result of investigation From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta Four months after Ogun State Government declared the state is Lassa fever-free, the viral disease, known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF) has killed an assistant nursing officer, Adesuyi Abolanle and a mortuary attendant, whose identity could not be ascertained as at […]
                    Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                    The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                    Comment

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