Nigeria: 2018 Lassa Fever

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Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.p...-ncdc-confirms-outbreak-of-disease-in-ebonyi/


Lassa Fever Kills Three as NCDC Confirms Outbreak of Disease in Ebonyi
January 16, 2018
Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu, Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Three medical personnel at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki in Ebonyi State have been killed by Lassa fever.

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike, said two of the dead patients were medical doctors while the third person was a nurse.
He revealed that the index patient who was treated by one of the doctors and nurse survived and had been discharged.

Umezuruike said the cause of the death of one of the doctors has not been confirmed to be Lassa fever as he had mobidity of diabetes.
The commissioner further said the victims presented late because they were self-medicating when the symptoms started showing...

 

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Source: https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/01/18/nasarawa-records-3-suspected-cases-lassa-fever/


Nasarawa records 3 suspected cases of Lassa fever
1 min ago

Dr Giyan Joshua-Ndom, the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, says the hospital is currently handling three cases of suspected Lassa fever.

Joshua-Ndom disclosed in Keffi on Thursday that the hospital had taken the patients? blood samples for test to ascertain whether or not they had the disease.

?The patients have been separated from other patients...

 

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Source: https://www.naijanews.com/gist/4307...ises-to-four-in-ebonyi-139-under-surveillance

Lassa Fever Otbreak: Death Toll Rises To Four In Ebonyi, 139 Under Surveillance
Published 4 hours ago
on January 19, 2018
By Bukola Christiana Adeoye

The death toll of victims of the Lassa fever outbreak in Ebonyi State has risen to four while 139 persons have been under surveillance.

Naija News reported that three health workers died from the outbreak in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike, disclosed that nine cases have been confirmed in the state, adding that schools have been under lock to forestall the spread of the disease...

 

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Source: https://nigerianewsng.com/medical-alert-kogi-records-new-outbreak-lassa-fever/


Medical Alert: Kogi Records New Outbreak Of Lassa Fever
The Medical Director of FMC, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, revealed this to reporters on Saturday in Lokoja.
According to the director, the male doctor tested positive for the disease on Jan. 19, after his blood sample was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Irrua, Edo State for laboratory analysis.
Alabi said that the doctor who is in his early thirties has been transferred to Irrua on Saturday morning for further medical attention.
By Olasupo Ololade
Published January 20, 2018...

 

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Source: http://dailypost.ng/2018/01/22/lass...th-five-persons-24-others-critical-condition/

Lassa fever outbreak : Ondo govt confirms death of five persons, 24 others in critical condition
Published on January 22, 2018
By Temitope Olanipekun

The Ondo State government has confirmed the death of five persons, with twenty four others in critical condition from the outbreak of lassa fever in the state.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi confirmed that the death and the cases were recorded from four local government areas in the state.

He listed the local governments as Owo, Akoko southwest, Akure North and Akure south.

Olowolabi said government had strengthened its medical apparatus in all its specialist hospitals to contain the spread of the disease...

 

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Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 3: 13 - 19 January 2018

Lassa fever Nigeria

1 022
Cases
127
Deaths
12%
CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

On 15 January 2018, WHO was notified of a new cluster of five Lassa
fever cases reported from Ebonyi State. The index case was a 15
year-old boy from Abakaliki local government area who was admitted
to hospital on 28 December 2017 with fever, unconsciousness, and
bleeding from the mouth and nose. He died a few days later. Four
healthcare workers (HCWs) who treated the index case fell ill. Three
of the infected HCWs died (on 14 January and 15 January 2018) and
the fourth remains hospitalized. Samples taken from the HCWs tested
positive for Lassa fever by PCR. A total of 139 contacts have been
identified and are being monitored.

This Lassa fever cluster is part of an ongoing outbreak. Since the
resurgence of the current wave in December 2016 (week 49), a total of
1 022 suspected cases including 127 deaths (case fatality rate 12%)
were reported as of 24 December 2017. During this outbreak, 19 out
of 36 states have reported at least one confirmed Lassa fever case
(Ogun, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Rivers,
Kaduna, Gombre, Cross-River, Borno, Kano, Kogi, Enugu, Anambra,
Lagos, and Kwara). In week 1 of 2018 (ending 7 January 2018), one
confirmed case was reported from Bauchi State.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Lassa fever response working group is leading coordination of weekly Lassa fever review meetings with
participation by WHO, MSF, US CDC, and other partners.

The Ebonyi State Emergency Outbreak Committee has been activated by the state governor and meets daily to coordinate response activities.
Funds have been released by the Ebonyi State government to initiate the response, with particular focus on ensuring case management.
Active case finding and monitoring of contacts is ongoing in Ebonyi State.

A standard Lassa fever case definition has been shared for posting in health facilities.

Community sensitization activities are ongoing and radio jingles are planned.

Clinician sensitization is planned for Ebonyi State.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria. However, the recent cluster of cases in Ebonyi State suggests that current preparedness and response activities
are insufficient to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Implementation of measures to prevent infection among healthcare workers, including
infection prevention and control and clinician sensitization to Lassa fever, are urgently needed to prevent future transmission of Lassa fever in
healthcare facilities. Continuation of enhanced surveillance in Ebonyi State and other states affected by the outbreak is also advisable to facilitate early
detection and treatment of new cases.

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/1...1319012018.pdf

 

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Three die of Lassa fever in Imo-Okorocha

ON JANUARY 24, 2018 4:19 PM

Rochas Okorocha of Imo said on Wednesday three persons had died of Lassa fever while seven others were hospitalised.

Okorocha told journalists in Owerri that the disease was discovered in one of the hospitals in Orlu Local Government area of the state.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/three-die-lassa-fever-imo-okorocha/

 

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Source: http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2018/01/lassa-fever-kills-16-in-ondo-ebonyi-nasarawa-kogi-benue-others/

Lassa Fever Kills 16 in Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Others
Posted on Jan 25, 2018 in News

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control yesterday said Lassa fever has killed 16 people in Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue.

It also said 61 cases have been confirmed.

Have you read Trendiee Today? Click here to read

According to the agency, 10 health care workers have been infected in four states. Seven died in Ebonyi. One in Nasarawa. One in Kogi and one in Benue...

 

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Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/lassa-fever-three-died-taraba/

Lassa fever: Three died in Taraba ? WHO
Posted By: Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo On: January 30, 2018 In: News Update

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday confirmed that three persons died of Lassa fever in Taraba.

A Surveillance Officer of WHO, Dr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed this at a sensitization workshop on Lassa fever in Jalingo, the state capital...

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Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/31/c_136937020.htm


21 killed in Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria: official
Source: Xinhua| 2018-01-31 02:26:32|Editor: yan

LAGOS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Lassa fever has claimed a total of 21 lives in its latest outbreak in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, said Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control Chikwe Ihekweazu.

A total of 77 confirmed cases have so far been recorded since the disease, which affected 10 health workers, broke out, the official said Tuesday in Abuja...

 

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Source: https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/69786/cases-lassa-fever-confirmed-delta


Two cases of Lassa fever confirmed in Delta
By
Jackie Gogo -
January 31, 2018

Delta State has confirmed two cases of the Lassa Fever infection, with one patient said to be dead.

The identity of the dead victim could not be ascertained as at press time but the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, confirmed the cases in Asaba late Wednesday.

The patient, our correspondent learnt, was brought in on Sunday and died on Monday.

Azinge said he is in contact with his counterpart in Anambra State in regard to the dead victim, who is said to have been brought in from Anambra State to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.

He added that the corpse will be handed over to his colleague so that proper burial arrangement is carried out, so as not to expose more persons to the disease.

The other case, according to him, is a 43-year old man who was brought to the FMC and successfully treated.

He was later referred to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State...

 

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Source: http://www.dw.com/en/lassa-fever-infection-soars-in-nigeria/a-42438210?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf


Lassa fever infection soars in Nigeria

At least 21 people died from Lassa fever in Nigeria last month. DW talks to the head of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) about what is being done to prevent more fatalities.

DW: Why is it so hard to fight Lassa fever, given that it was first identified in Nigeria in 1969?

Chikwe Ihekweazu: Lassa fever has been endemic in our country for many years. What has changed in the last two years is our ability to detect it. At NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control) and our collaborating labs across the country, over the last two years, we have strengthened our surveillance infrastructure, we have strengthened our laboratories. We have increased people's awareness of the need to use primary health care services. In a way, what has changed is our ability to detect an illness that has been there all along...

 

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Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/201..._136948789.htm


Death toll from Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak rises to 30
Source: Xinhua| 2018-02-04 22:46:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan

LAGOS, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 30 by Saturday night since January 2018, according to official figures.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said laboratory tests had confirmed a total of 36 cases of Lassa fever in its latest outbreak in southwest Ondo State, including nine deaths in the state.

Last week, Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control Chikwe Ihekweazu told a news conference that Lassa fever claimed a total of 21 lives in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country...

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Source: https://leadership.ng/2018/02/04/lassa-fever-outbreak-nine-death-102-cases-recorded-ondo/


NEWS Lassa Fever Outbreak: Nine Death, 102 Cases Recorded In Ondo. Published 8 hours ago on February 4, 2018 By TOPE FAYEHUN

The Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said a total of 102 suspected cases of Lassa have been reported in 8 local government areas of the state. Akeredolu said ,out of the figure, 36 of the 79 cases with laboratory results have been confirmed including 9 deaths. The governor disclosed this during a state broadcast on lassa fever outbreak in the state at the weekend. Akeredolu said at present 127 Hospital Contacts and 308 Community Contacts were line-listed in all the affected Local Government Areas while thirty have completed their follow-up...

 

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Source: https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/02/05/lassa-fever-gombe-state-records-death/


Lassa fever: Gombe state records death
1 min ago

The Gombe State Government said on Monday that the state has one person to Lassa fever.

Dr Joshua Abubukar, the Director, Public Heath, Gombe State Ministry of Health, confirmed this to newsmen in Gombe.

Abubakar said an 18-year-old woman, who was tested positive of Lassa fever, died in Funakaye Local Government Area.

He however said that the deceased was tested positive after her death...

 

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Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 5: 27 January - 2 February 2018

Lassa fever Nigeria
1 319
Cases

149
Deaths

1.3%*
CFR


EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria continues to be closely monitored
by local authorities and WHO and partners. In the reporting week
ending 28 January 2018, 15 new confirmed cases and two deaths
were recorded from five states; Edo (6), Ondo (4), Delta (1), Imo (1)
and Taraba (3). From 1-28 January 2018 a total of 297 suspected
cases and 22 deaths (case fatality rate 7.4%) have been reported from
13 active states (Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo,
Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau, and Taraba).
Since the start of 2018, among the 80 cases for which laboratory
results are available, 77 are confirmed as positive for Lassa fever, with
three probable cases and 21 deaths (18 in confirmed cases and three
in probable cases). The case fatality rate in confirmed and probable
cases is 26.3%.

Ten healthcare workers have been affected in four states ? Ebonyi
(7), Nasarawa (1), Kogi (1) and Benue (1), with four deaths in Ebonyi
(3) and Kogi (1). Confirmed cases are being treated at identified
treatment/isolation centres across the states. A total of 415 contacts
have been identified and are being followed up.
...
SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The upsurge in Lassa fever cases and deaths since the start of 2018 is of concern. Available treatment facilities are overstretched and lack of funding
is preventing contact tracing in Edo State. These challenges, coupled with problems with logistics for deployment of supplies between states, delays
in samples reaching diagnostic centres and gaps in surveillance and contact tracing in some states need to be addressed urgently. National authorities
and international health cluster partners must move rapidly to prevent further spread of the disease across the country.

...
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/260122/1/OEW5-2701222018.pdf
http://www.afro.who.int/publication...es-bulletin-week-5-27-january-2-february-2018

 

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Source: https://guardian.ng/news/one-dies-as-suspected-lassa-fever-breaks-out-in-abia/

One dies as suspected Lassa Fever breaks out in Abia
By Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
10 February 2018 | 3:16 am

Seven suspected victims of the dreaded Lassa fever have been identified in Abia state while two illegal routine immunization persons have been arrested and are undergoing police investigation.

State Health Commissioner, John Ahukannah said of the seven suspects, one has died, four tested negative while the other two responded to treatment and have been discharged. He also said the sample of the dead suspect was yet to be returned from Irrua where it was sent for analysis to determine the cause of his death. He stressed that the state has been alive to its responsibility and urged the public to step up their personal hygiene and avoid rats infected places and report any incidence to their nearest health authorities...

 

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Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/lassa-fever-1.4533098



Nigeria reports 450 suspected cases of Lassa fever
World Health Organization says it is scaling up its response to the outbreak
CBC News Posted: Feb 13, 2018 11:20 AM ET Last Updated: Feb 13, 2018 11:20 AM ET

The World Health Organization says an outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria may have infected up to 450 people in less than five weeks.

The United Nations health agency said Tuesday that it is scaling up its response to the outbreak, which has spread to 17 states.

Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 4, nearly 450 suspected cases were reported, of which 132 are laboratory confirmed Lassa fever. Of these, 43 deaths were reported, including 37 that were lab confirmed.

"The high number of Lassa fever cases is concerning. We are observing an unusually high number of cases for this time of year," Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Representative to Nigeria, said in a release...

 

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Source: http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/16/lassa-fever-kills-11-people-edo-state-many-still-hospitalized


Lassa Fever Kills 11 People In Edo State, Many Still Hospitalized
No fewer than 11 persons have died of Lassa fever in Edo State in the latest outbreak of the hemorrhagic disease.
by PM News, Lagos Feb 16, 2018

No fewer than 11 persons have died of Lassa fever in Edo State in the latest outbreak of the hemorrhagic disease.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, who disclosed this at a press briefing to announce a successful stem cell transplant carried out by a private hospital, Celltek Healthcare Medical Centre, in Benin, added that 45 confirmed cases were recorded in the State.

Osifo said that the recorded cases were receiving treatment at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

?In terms of the state, there are about 45 confirmed cases from Edo State. At the initial stage of the outbreak, a lot of people were not aware and so, awareness was a problem."...

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Source: http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/16/lassa-fever-kills-two-pregnant-women-one-benue/

Lassa fever kills two pregnant women, one other in Benue
Published on February 16, 2018
By Fikayo Olowolagba

Lassa fever has claimed two pregnant women and a man in Makurdi, Benue State.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Cecilia Ojabo disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Thurdsay...

 

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Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.p...ter-lassa-fever-kills-three-persons-in-benue/


Family Quarantined after Lassa Fever Kills Three Persons in Benue
February 18, 2018
George Okoh in Makurdi

The Benue State Government Ministry of Health has quarantined an entire family in Adoka, Otukpo Local Government, Benue State, over the outbreak of Lassa fever and the death of a family member.

The State Commissioner for Health, Mrs. Cecilia Ojabo, who confirmed that two pregnant women and a man died in Makurdi of Lassa fever, said the ministry is putting the family under close monitoring so as to ensure that the fever does not spread to others.

She said one of the pregnant women was confirmed positive when her blood sample was sent to a specialist hospital in Irua in Edo State. She said the other patient commenced treatment for Lassa fever at the designated centre located at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi but died in the process...

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Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2018/02/18/lassa-fever-kills-three-delta/


Lassa Fever Kills Three Persons In Delta
Vivian Oramadike
Updated February 18, 2018

Delta State Government on Sunday confirmed that two lives were lost as a result of the resurgence of Lassa fever in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye said the two persons who died were part of the three victims that migrated from Anambra state to Delta State.

Ononye also confirms to Channels Television that since January 2018, seven confirmed cases have been recorded while 24 persons have been placed under surveillance...

 

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Source: https://newtelegraphonline.com/2018/02/edo-records-521-suspected-cases-lassa-fever/

Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever
Published 4 hours ago
on February 22, 2018
By Correspondents

Director of Disease Control, Edo State, Dr. Osamuwonyi Irowa, has said that the state recorded 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever this month.

Irowa disclosed this at the inauguration of the Emergency Operation Centre on Lassa fever in Benin yesterday.

He said 124 cases had been confirmed out of the 521 suspected cases recorded in 13 local government areas.

The director, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also said 15 deaths were recorded with 509 cases under surveillance, while 10 suspected cases had developed symptoms...

 

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Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...tbreak-kills-73-in-nigeria-as-new-cases-surge



Lassa Fever Outbreak Kills 73 in Nigeria as New Cases Surge
By Tope Alake
February 22, 2018, 1:31 PM EST

Nigeria is grappling with an outbreak of Lassa fever, which has caused 73 deaths this year as the number of new confirmed cases surged in the past week, according to the country?s Center for Disease Control.

The acute viral haemorrhagic illness is endemic in several West African countries including Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization who said earlier this month it was scaling up its response to the outbreak which has spread to 17 of Nigeria?s 36 states...

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Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/lassa-fever-claims-one-life-abuja/


Lassa fever claims one life in Abuja
Posted By: Justice Ilevbare On: February 22, 2018 In: News Update

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday confirmed the death of one person in the two cases of Lassa fever recorded in the territory.

Dr Humphrey Okoroukwu, the Director of Public Health in Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCT, confirmed this in an interview in Abuja...