Nigeria: 2023 Lassa Fever

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/...84-cases-ncdc/

Lassa fever: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi account for 84% cases — NCDC
January 23, 2023

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has said that Edo, Ondo, and Bauchi states account for 84 per cent of Lassa fever infection in the country.

The Director-General, NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, yesterday.

Adetifa said that between January 2 and 15, the country recorded 369 suspected cases of Lassa fever, adding that 105 of this number were confirmed positive from 30 LGAs in 10 states.

He said the 10 states included Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Oyo, Plateau and Nasarawa.

The NCDC boss said there had been seven deaths with a Case Fatality Rate, CFR, of 6.7 per cent in the country.

He said since 2017, the NCDC, through the Lassa Fever Technical Working Group, TWG, had been been offering support to all states and responding to Lassa fever, especially the high-burden states of Edo, Ebonyi and Ondo.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/healt...two-weeks.html

Lassa Fever: Nigeria records seven deaths, 105 infections in two weeks
According to the NCDC, the trio of Ondo, Edo and Bauchi States accounted for 84 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases.
byMariam Ileyemi
January 24, 2023

Nigeria has recorded 105 confirmed Lassa fever infections and seven deaths as of the second week of 2022.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed in its latest situation report published Tuesday on its website, noting that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 30 in week one to 77 cases in week two of 2023.

The report showed that the confirmed cases in week two, spanning 9 to 15 January, were reported from Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Oyo and Nasarawa States.

Cumulatively, NCDC noted that from week one to week two, seven deaths were recorded with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 7.8 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (11.5 per cent)...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/01/...-commissioner/

Edo records 97 Lassa fever cases, 11 deaths — Commissioner
January 26, 2023

By Gabriel Enogholase, BENIN

EDO State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, yesterday, said the state has continued to witness a steady rise in the number of Lassa fever cases with 97 confirmed and 11 deaths and urged residents to comply with all guidelines to contain the disease.

She said the state government was stepping up the campaign to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state, rallying the support and collaboration of all residents to contain the recorded 97 confirmed cases and 11 deaths from 11 local government area across the state.

Akoria said the affected councils include Etsako West, Esan West, Esan North East, Esan Central, Esan South East, Etsako East, Owan East, Akoko Edo, Ovia North East, Oredo and Etsako Central.

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Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/...one-death.html

Anambra records 15 suspected cases of Lassa fever, one death
“We have started contact tracing to manage the situation and prevent further spread.”
byAgency Report
January 26, 2023

Anambra State has confirmed 15 suspected cases of Lassa fever and one death on Thursday in Awka.

“In Anambra, we have recorded 15 suspected cases of Lassa fever and one death since the year began,” Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Obidike said the state’s emergency team was already responding to the suspected cases and had put in place relevant surveillance measures to curtail further spread.

He said the government had constituted contact-tracing teams to follow up on identified cases.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://punchng.com/edo-confirms-115...m-lassa-fever/

Edo confirms 115 cases, 13 deaths from Lassa fever
28th January 2023
By Adeyinka Adedipe

Edo State has confirmed eight more cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 115.

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi, said the state also recorded one more death from the disease, raising the fatality figure to 13.

She said the government is stepping up efforts to contain the disease across all Edo communities, urging residents to complement the government’s efforts by complying with all laid down protocols against the spread of the disease...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/02/97531/

Edo records 5 new cases of Lassa fever, 3 more deaths as fatalities reach 23By The Nigerian Observer
February 8, 2023
…confirmed cases now 160

Edo State, in the last 24 hours, recorded three new deaths from Lassa fever, raising the total number of fatalities in the state to 23.

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, said the state also recorded five new confirmed cases, raising the number of infections to 160...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://dailytrust.com/benue-records...f-lassa-fever/

Benue records 2 deaths, 17 cases of Lassa feverThe Benue State government said it has, so far, recorded 17 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and two deaths this year. The state’s Commissioner for
By Hope Abah Emmanuel
Thu, 9 Feb 2023 6:45:48 WAT

The Benue State government said it has, so far, recorded 17 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and two deaths this year.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Ngbea, disclosed this Wednesday at a press briefing on Lassa fever awareness week in Makurdi, the state capital....

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 6: 30 January to 5 February 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 5 February 2023
...

Lassa Fever Nigeria

244 cases
37 Deaths
15.2% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

From week 1 through week 3, 2023, a total of 244 new confirmed
cases of Lassa fever, including 37 deaths with a case fatality ratio
of 15.2%, have been reported in 16 states. The highest number
of cases was reported in Ondo (90) and Edo (89) states, followed
by Bauchi (13), Taraba (10), Benue (9), Ebonyi (9), Nasarawa (7),
Plateau (5), Kogi (4), Anambra (2), Delta (1), Oyo (1), Adamawa
(1), Enugu (1), and Imo (1) states; one case was reported from
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (1).

About 79% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported
from three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi), while 21% were
reported from 13 states. Of the 79% of confirmed cases, Ondo
reported 37%, Edo 36%, and Bauchi 5%. In total for 2023, 16
States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 50 Local
Government Areas.

Of the reported cases, the predominant age group affected is
21-30 years (range: 1 to 79 years) and the Median age is 30
years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9.
Five confirmed cases and one death were reported among health
workers.

In week 3 alone, the number of new confirmed cases increased
from 77 in week 2, 2023 to 137 cases and the number of deaths
from six in week 2 to 18 in week 3. These cases were reported
from Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Ebonyi,
Plateau, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, FCT, Adamawa, and Enugu states.
A total of two confirmed cases among health Care workers were
reported in the reporting week.

Compared to the previous year 2022, from week 1 to week 3,
the number of confirmed cases has increased from 170 cases
in 2022 to 244 cases in 2023. A total of 12 states and 37 Local
Government Areas (LGAs) were affected in 2022 against 16 states
and 50 LGAs in 2023. However, the case fatality ratio was higher
in 2022 (18.8%, 32/170) compared to 2023 (15.1%, 37/244) for
the same period.

Regarding suspected cases reported, a total of 939 were reported
for the three epidemiological weeks of 2023 among which 244
were confirmed (30.0%),the number of suspected cases reported
increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021
(354) and 2022 (759).

A cumulative number of 700 contacts were listed since the
beginning of this year and 518 are under follow up, 183
completed follow up, four contacts developed symptoms and no
contact tested positive for Lassa fever. A total of 226 cases were
managed at the treatment centre.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

At national level, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
and Prevention (NCDC) activated the National Multisectoral

Emergency Operations Center for Lassa Fever at Level 2 to
coordinate and strengthen the ongoing response activities in
the country, following a risk assessment carried out on 20
January 2023.

A workshop to validate the five-year Strategic plan for Lassa
fever was organized.

The dissemination of the reviewed case management and
safe burial practices guidelines has been done.

The mortality review of Lassa fever deaths as well as indepth
investigation of healthcare worker infections were performed.

The preparation of the External Quality Assurance panel for
all testing laboratories is ongoing.

The distribution of response commodities to the affected
states and treatment centers was conducted, these included:
personal protective equipment (PPEs), Ribavirin (injection
and tablets), body-bags, thermometers, hypochlorite hand
sanitizers and IEC materials

The implementation of Nigeria Lassa fever epidemiological
Study is ongoing.

The Multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Operation
Centers (PHEOC) were activated in affected states.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria with seasonal outbreaks reported
and the number of cases typically increases between December
and March, which coincides with the dry season in the country.
For the past five- year’s period, from week 1 through week 3 of
each year, except in 2021, the trend in number of suspected and
confirmed cases has been increasing as well as the number of the
affected Local Government Areas and States, however the case
fatality ratio is decreasing since 2021. This may be considered
as the positive impact of the strengthened surveillance and case
management response activities. Lassa fever is one of diseases
linked to poor environmental health conditions.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/365964/OEW06-300105022023.pdf?sequence=10&isAllowed=y

[Shiloh]

Source: https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-kill...cases-now-531/

Lassa fever killed 85 in six weeks, cases now 531
20th February 2023
Lara Adejoro

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 68 more cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 531.

The NCDC, in its Lassa fever situation report for week six released on Monday, revealed that the disease killed 15 people in one week as the death toll rose to 85 from January to February 12, 2023.

According to the report, the number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022.

The suspected cases of the infection for week six in 2022 were 1,631 while the suspected cases for week six in 2023 are 2,244...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/...4-in-2023.html

Lassa fever: Nigeria’s death toll hits 104 in 2023
NCDC said the number of suspected cases has increased compared to what was reported for the same period in 2022.
by Mariam Ileyemi
March 3, 2023

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said a total of 104 Lassa fever deaths and 636 confirmed infections have been recorded across Nigeria between January to 26 February.

The NCDC noted that the death toll was recorded with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16.4 per cent which is lower than what was recorded for the same period in 2022 (18.1 per cent).

This is contained in the agency’s latest epidemiological report published on its website for week 8 of 2023, spanning 20 to 26, February.

The report shows that 351 suspected cases were recorded within the week under review, with 59 infections and 10 deaths confirmed.

In total for 2023, according to the report, at least one confirmed case has been recorded across 88 local government areas in 22 states, adding that of all the confirmed cases, 70 per cent are from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-deat...-in-22-states/

Lassa fever deaths rise to 109 in 22 states
13th March 2023
Lara Adejoro

Lassa fever has continued to spread in Nigeria with 676 confirmed cases recorded across 89 local government areas in 22 states in the country.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention made this known in its Lassa fever situation report for week nine spanning from January to March 5, 2023.

The report showed that the death toll has risen to 109, up from the previous 104.

With the current death toll, the public health institution noted that the case-fatality ratio of the outbreak stood at 16.1 per cent...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-kills-142-in-11-weeks/

Lassa fever kills 142 in 11 weeks
28th March 2023
By Lara Adejoro

The death toll of Lassa fever in Nigeria so far this year has risen to 142, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

In its eleventh week Lassa fever situation report, the NCDC said there had been a total of 784 confirmed cases recorded from 23 states and 97 local government areas since the beginning of the year.

A total of 3,826 suspected cases were recorded from January to March 19, 2023.

With the current death toll, the public health institution noted that the case-fatality ratio of the outbreak stood at 18.1 per cent.

It added that the predominant age group affected in the country was 21 to 30 years, with the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases being 10:9.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/lassa-...144-cases-823/

‘Lassa fever deaths hit 144, cases 823’
April 6, 2023

Deaths from Lassa fever as of March 26 has risen to 144, epidemiological report by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said.

The report showed that in 12 weeks, 823 confirmed cases have been reported from 24 states and 98 local governments areas.

Of the confirmed cases, Ondo (262), Edo (238), Bauchi (92) and Taraba (73) states recorded the highest number. However, in terms of deaths, Edo (31), Ondo (30), Ebonyi (27), and Taraba (25) states recorded the highest number...

[sharon sanders]

hat tip @guty2370


Lassa fever spreads to 26 states, kills 151

19th April 2023

The death toll of Lassa fever in Nigeria so far this year has risen to 151 from the previous 148, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

In its 14th-week Lassa fever situation report, the NCDC said there had been a total of 869 confirmed cases recorded from 26 states and 101 local government areas from January 1 to April 9, 2023.

A total of 4,555 suspected cases were recorded during the period under review.


more...

https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-spreads-to-26-states-kills-151/?amp

[Pathfinder]

Lassa fever - Nigeria

1 May 2023

Situation at a glance

Nigeria is currently experiencing a large outbreak of Lassa fever, with 4702 suspected cases, five probable cases, and 877 confirmed cases between epidemiological weeks 1 and 15 of 2023 (week ending 16 April). Among confirmed cases, there have been 152 deaths (CFR 17%). Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and parts of West Africa where the multimammate rat, the main reservoir of the Lassa virus, is common.


Responding to the current outbreak is challenging due to the need to respond to multiple emergencies simultaneously.

The symptoms of Lassa fever vary widely, and diagnosis can be difficult. Most cases (∼ 80%) are asymptomatic or mild. Still, the infection can result in severe illness and multiple organ dysfunction with or without haemorrhage. Laboratory testing is therefore needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported in states bordering Cameroon (Adamawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, and Taraba) and states bordering Benin (Oyo and Niger). The overall regional and global risks are considered low because the primary mode of transmission of Lassa fever is through contact with food or household items contaminated with rat excreta. The rate of human-to-human transmission is low.


Description of the situation


Nigeria is experiencing a large outbreak of Lassa fever, with 4702 suspected cases, five probable cases, and 877 confirmed cases between epidemiological weeks 1 and 15 of 2023 (week ending 16 April). Among confirmed cases, there have been 152 deaths (CFR 17%). This is a 20% increase in confirmed cases in comparison with those reported during the same period in 2022 (733).


Cases have been reported from 101 local government areas (LGAs), in 26 out of 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A high proportion of confirmed cases (72%) are concentrated in three states: Ondo (32%), Edo (29%) and Bauchi (11%). Laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported in states bordering Cameroon (Adamawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, and Taraba) and states bordering Benin (Oyo and Niger).


Epidemiology of disease

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily transmitted to humans either through direct contact with infected Mastomys rodents, or through food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rodents. Consequently, the virus is transmitted to humans through cuts and scratches or inhaled via dust particles in the air. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with an infected person's blood or bodily fluids, but this is rare. Lassa fever can spread in healthcare settings without early recognition and treatment and without adequate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

Most cases (∼ 80%) are asymptomatic or mild, but the virus can cause severe disease in the remaining 20% of patients, sometimes associated with multiple organ dysfunction with or without haemorrhage. Lassa fever is difficult to diagnose without proper laboratory tests because it can present with various symptoms, ranging from no symptoms to multiple organ failure and death.

The case fatality rate is usually between 1% and 15% in patients hospitalized with severe disease. The disease is particularly severe in late pregnancy, with maternal death and/or fetal loss occurring in the third trimester in over 80% of cases. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment is critical and improves survival. The antiviral ribavirin has been used to treat Lassa fever but its efficacy is unproven. There is currently no vaccine that protects against Lassa fever.

The disease was first identified in Nigeria in Borno State in 1969 and is endemic in Nigeria. Transmission occurs throughout the year. However, large seasonal outbreaks occur during the dry season, typically from December to April.


During epidemiological weeks 1 to 15 of 2023, 42 cases were reported among healthcare workers across 11 states. In week 15 of 2023 (10-16 April), 141 new suspected cases, nine new confirmed cases, and one new confirmed death were reported (CFR 11%).

Responding to the current outbreak is challenging due to the need to respond to multiple emergencies simultaneously. These include outbreaks of COVID-19, diphtheria, meningitis, measles, and cholera, and ongoing humanitarian crises. In addition, the country is dealing with security challenges that affect the timeliness of the response.

Public health response


The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and health authorities of affected states are leading the response to the outbreak. An NCDC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated on 28 January 2023 and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to the states of Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Ondo, and Taraba.

• Response activities include:
• Surveillance: detection, monitoring of cases and outbreaks, and laboratory testing;
• Case management;
• Prevention measures: public education on personal hygiene, food safety, and rodent control in homes and workplaces;
• Control measures: administration of antiviral drugs to confirmed cases, supportive care, and contact tracing to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

To improve the response to Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria, the NCDC has developed a national action plan, with WHO and other partners, to prevent and control Lassa fever outbreaks. This plan focuses on strengthening surveillance activities, improving and expanding national laboratory capacity, increasing public awareness, and improving the availability of treatment and care for patients.

WHO risk assessment


Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa. Confirmed outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria. In some regions, Mastomys rodents are consumed as food.

Although Nigeria is an endemic country for Lassa fever and has developed capacity to manage Lassa fever outbreaks, the current overall risk at the national level is considered high due to several factors:

• An increase in the number of confirmed cases compared with the same period in previous epidemic seasons;
• Reduced national capacity due to multiple ongoing health emergencies that have overwhelmed the country's health system and limited access to medical resources;
• Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), resulting in a high risk of healthcare-associated infections;
• Delays in sample transport for laboratory testing in several states, delaying confirmation of diagnosis and linkage to treatment and care;
• Inadequate health infrastructure, poor sanitation and the continued presence of disease-carrying rodents; and
• Lack of awareness and education about Lassa fever among the public and healthcare workers, likely leading to further delays in diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of transmission and potential deaths.

The overall regional and global risks are considered low because the primary mode of transmission of Lassa fever is zoonotic and the rate of human-to-human transmission is low.

WHO advice


Prevention of Lassa fever requires the promotion of good community hygiene to prevent rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other food in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage away from homes, keeping homes clean, and keeping cats in the home.

In healthcare settings, staff should always follow standard precautions for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections when caring for patients, regardless of the presumed diagnosis. These precautions include hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, personal protective equipment against splashes or other contact with contaminated materials, injection safety, and safe burial rites.


Healthcare workers caring for suspected or confirmed cases of Lassa fever should take additional infection control measures to avoid contact with the patient's blood or body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact with patients (within one metre), healthcare workers should wear: face protection (face shield or surgical mask and goggles); a clean, non-sterile, long-sleeved gown; and gloves (sterile for certain medical procedures).

No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available for use in humans. The antiviral drug ribavirin may be an effective treatment for Lassa fever if given early on in the course of the illness, but data are inconsistent. There is no evidence to support the role of ribavirin as post-exposure prophylactic treatment for Lassa fever.

WHO continues to advise all countries where Lassa fever is endemic to improve early case detection and treatment to reduce fatalities.

WHO does not recommend any restrictions on travel or trade to or from Nigeria based on the information in this report.

...

https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON463

[Shiloh]

Source: https://punchng.com/ncdc-confirms-10...es-181-deaths/


NCDC confirms 1,068 Lassa fever cases, 181 deaths
2nd October 2023



The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said it recorded 1,068 Lassa fever cases across 112 Local Government Areas in 28 states.

The NCDC revealed this on Monday, in its Lassa Fever situation report for week 37 (September 11 -17, 2023), released...

...The NCDC said the suspected cases are now 7,352 and that the disease has killed no fewer than 181 persons in the country...

...“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 37, 2023, 181 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 16.9 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 per cent).

“In total for 2023, 28 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 Local Government Areas.

“Seventy-five per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 25 per cent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 75 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35 per cent, Edo 29 per cent, and Bauchi 11 per cent...