Nigeria: 2021/2022 Lassa fever

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news...er-oyo-govt-confirms-four-deaths19-cases.html


Lassa Fever: Oyo Govt confirms four deaths,19 cases
"Four health workers were admitted into the treatment centre in the early days of the week."
byAgency Report
March 4, 2022


The Oyo State Government says four deaths, including three healtcare workers, were recorded out of the 19 confirmed cases of Lassa fever outbreak in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Bode Ladipo, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Ibadan.

Mr Ladipo said that of the 19 confirmed cases were two medical doctors and one other health worker, who succumbed to the deadly virus.

The Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association had earlier said that it had lost two of its members to the outbreak within 72 hours.

“I am here today to address the unfortunate incidence of the death of health workers of a private health facility in the state from Lassa fever.

“Four health workers were admitted into the treatment centre in the early days of the week.

“Upon diagnostic investigations, all four were confirmed positive for Lassa fever.

“Unfortunately, three of them consisting of two doctors and another hospital staff died in spite of all efforts at caring for them by experts,” he said...

 

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Lassa Fever kills two doctors in Oyo- NMA

By NAN
03 March 2022 | 11:23 am

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, says it lost two of its members to Lassa Fever within 72 hours.

Its Chairman, Dr Ayotunde Fasunla, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Ibadan.

Fasunla said: “The NMA announces, with deepest regret and sorrow, the demise of two of her members from Lassa Fever.

“The tragic deaths occurred within a space of 72 hours. It is indeed a sad week, and our eyes are still soaked in tears.

“While we thought that COVID-19 had done its worst, we are now dealing with another onslaught of a Lassa Fever outbreak.

“Furthermore, we are worried about other health workers who have had contact with the diseased unknowingly. We have advised them to quarantine and report if they develop any symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever.”
...
https://guardian.ng/news/lassa-fever-kills-two-doctors-in-oyo-nma/

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Lassa fever kills four doctors, infects 38 health workers

Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
6 March 2022

No fewer than four medical doctors have been killed and 38 health workers infected during the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria in 2022, a tally by Sunday PUNCH has revealed.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has also revealed that 98 deaths have been reported between January 1, and February 27, 2022, across 21 states of the Federation.
...
On January 10, 2022, a doctor with the World Health Organization named Samuel Nyityo lost his life in Benue to Lassa fever.

Media reports on February 28, 2022 also cited the death of a certain Dr, Abel Obetta.

The Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo state last Thursday also announced the death of two doctors who died of Lassa fever within 72 hours.
...
https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-kil...medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1646 543533-1

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Oyo Allays Fears Of More Deaths From Lassa Fever Outbreak

by Adebayo Waheed 9 hours ago in NEWS

Following the outbreak of Lassa fever and death of four people, Oyo State government has allayed the fear of the residents of more deaths from the disease.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Ladipo who stated this while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State reiterated continuous efforts being made by the government to curtail the spread of the disease.

He said that four health workers were confirmed positive for Lassa fever, while three out of them consisting of two doctors and another hospital staff died despite all efforts at caring for them by experts.

He explained that the state had recorded 19 confirmed cases, noting that resources have been deployed to designated health facilities to forestall the spread of this disease across the State.
...
https://leadership.ng/362239-2/

 

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Source: https://guardian.ng/news/45-health-workers-infected-by-lassa-fever-112-dead-ncdc/

45 health workers infected by Lassa fever, 112 dead – NCDC
By Guardian Nigeria
18 March 2022 | 11:23 am

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 45 health workers were infected by Lassa fever between January and March.

The NCDC, on its verified website on Friday, also reported that no fewer than 112 persons died from the disease during the period.

It said that 3,079 suspected cases of Lassa fever were reported across the country, with 630 confirmed positive...

 

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Source: https://dailytrust.com/lassa-fever-edo-records-20-deaths-160-cases

Lassa Fever: Edo records 20 deaths, 160 cases
By Usman A. Bello
Sun, 20 Mar 2022 18:12:19 GMT

The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Stephen Idehenre, has disclosed that the state has recorded 20 deaths and 160 cases of Lassa fever since the current outbreak.
Idehenre disclosed this in Benin on Friday shortly after the weekly State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting chaired by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Stephen Idehenre said, “Since the outbreak of the Lassa Fever in Edo, the state has recorded 160 cases and 20 deaths.”
He said the figure represents a 13 percent death rate from the virus in the state. According to him, the disease is a pandemic that is still ravaging some communities across local government areas in the state...

 

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Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/lassa-fever-kills-doctor-one-other-in-kaduna/

Lassa Fever kills Doctor, one other in Kaduna
March 22, 2022
By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The suspected case of Lassa Fever has killed Dr Abubakar Saleh Moriki and Hamza Abubakar at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Shika-Zaria and Kauran Wali Clinic in Zaria respectively.

According to a source, Dr Moriki died at the hospital on Monday...

 

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Source: https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-hits-23-states-deaths-now-127-says-ncdc/

Lassa fever hits 23 states, deaths now 127, says NCDC
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
2 April 2022

Twenty-three states of the Federation have reported at least one confirmed case of the Lassa Fever with a death toll of 127 reported so far, says the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in a situation report which it released on Friday and made available to Saturday Punch in Abuja.

The centre listed the 23 states as Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Kogi, Ebonyi, Benue, Taraba, Oyo, Gombe, Enugu, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Delta, Kaduna, FCT, Cross River.

Others are Adamawa, Niger, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina and River states...

 

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Source: https://punchng.com/lassa-fever-only-eight-laboratories-available-for-testing-death-toll-hits-132/

Lassa fever: Only eight laboratories available for testing, death toll hits 132
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
9 April 2022

Official data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has revealed that Nigeria has only eight molecular laboratories for the testing of Lassa fever samples.

Saturday PUNCH reports that the Lassa fever disease has continued to spread across the country in the past weeks.

So far in 2022, the NCDC says a total of 132 persons have lost their lives.

Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhage, is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus and contracted through close contact with an infected animal, specially the Mastomys rat species.

According to the World Health Organization, humans usually become infected with Lassa fever through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or feaces of infected Mastomy rat.

According to the latest report by the NCDC, 3,746 suspected cases have been reported so far while 691 of such cases have been confirmed...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://leadership.ng/lassa-fever-fatality-rate-rises-to-19-1/


Lassa Fever: Fatality Rate Rises To 19.1%
Written By Christopher Odey
4 seconds ago

Minister of state for health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Momora has expressed concern over rising cases of Lassa fever as fatality rate hits 19.1 per cent.

Mamora, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, said there has been 3746 suspected cases, in 23 States and 681 confirmed cases with 132 deaths currently.

He noted that part of government’s response/Interventions to Lassa Fever are enforcement of environmental sanitation and focus on Long term improvement of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to eliminate Cholera...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2022/04/19/kogi-govt-confirms-three-cases-of-lassa-fever/

Kogi govt confirms three cases of lassa fever
Published on April 19, 2022
By John Akinfehinwa

The Kogi State Government, on Tuesday, confirmed three reported cases of Lassa in the State.

The Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on health matters, Abu Jibril Okikiri disclosed that the outbreak is in Ibaji Local Government Area of the State.

He said the affected persons are already receiving treatment at Irua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State...

 

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 16: 11 – 17 April 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 17 April 2022
...

Lassa fever Nigeria

3 746 cases
132 Deaths
3.5% CFR


EVENT DESCRIPTION

From week 1 (ending 9 January) through to week 13 (ending 3 April)
2022, Nigeria has reported a total of 3 746 suspected Lassa fever
cases, with 691 confirmed and 132 deaths (CFR = 3.5%) in 23 of
93 states across the country. There is an observed decrease in the
weekly number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported compared to
the same period in 2021. Of all confirmed cases, 67% are from Ondo
(28%), Edo (24%) and Bauchi (15%) States.

In week 13, the number of new confirmed cases decreased to 10
cases from 12 in week 12, 2022. The new cases were reported from
Edo (3), Bauchi (2), Kaduna (2), Ondo (1), Plateau (1) and Kogi (1)
States.

In general, Edo (78), and Kaduna (33), Ondo (27) and Bauchi (15)
States have recorded the highest number of Lassa fever cases of
the national total. No health workers infections have been reported
in 2022.

The most affected age-group is that between 21-30 years (range:
1 to 80 years, median age: 30 years). The male to female ratio for
confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

In contrast, the number of suspected cases has increased from 1
508 cases from week 1 to week 13 in 2021 to 3 746 cases in 2022
for the same period, hence doubling the number of suspected cases
reported in the prior year. In addition, a total of 14 states and 51
local government areas (LGAs) reported suspected Lassa fever
cases in 2021 against 23 states and 93 LGAs in 2022. However, the
CFR among confirmed cases was higher in 2021 (21.0%, 49/233)
compared to 2022 (19.0%, 132/691) for the same period.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) activated the
National Emergency Operations Centre response mode level
2 for effective multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary coordination
of the Lassa fever outbreak response, and state public health
operation centres were activated in affected States.

Lassa fever preparedness assessment was carried out for
36 States and FCT The national rapid response teams were
deployment to Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Oyo states and Lassa
fever alert letters have been sent to States

The eight Lassa fever molecular laboratories in the NCDC
network are working full capacity to ensure that all samples
are tested, and results provided within the shortest turnaround
time Confirmed cases are being treated at identified treatment
centres across the states and the dissemination of reviewed case
management, health facility infection prevention and control
guidelines and safe burial practices guidelines is ongoing
An update of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Case Investigation Form
database as well as enhanced surveillance including contact
tracing and active case finding in affected state are also ongoing
Adhoc data clerks have been engaged to upload case
management data on SORMAS

Medical response commodities have been distributed to states
and treatment centres.

Risk communications and community engagement activities
have been scaled up across states using televisions, radios,
print, social media and other strategies

The Federal Ministry of Environment is implementing a Lassa
fever environmental response campaign in high burden states.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Lassa fever is endemic in West African countries including Nigeria
and transmission occurs all year round with sporadic cases being
reported at levels below epidemic thresholds. The peak of outbreaks
is usually observed during the dry season (December–April);
therefore, the number of cases is expected to decline in the coming
weeks or months. The increase in number of cases reported this year
and the observed geographical extension of the disease compared
to previous epidemic season are concerning. This is because the
country is supposed to have developed capacities for Lassa fever
prevention and control from previous outbreaks. Late health care
seeking among patients as well as inadequate bed capacity per
treatment centre for case management are still reported.

PROPOSED ACTIONS

Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good “community
hygiene” to discourage rodents from entering homes. Effective
measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodentproof
containers, disposing of garbage far from the home,
maintaining clean households and considering keeping cats.
Infection prevention and control measures, strengthening
disease surveillance, active case finding, and health workers
capacity building activities should be reinforced.

Risk communication activities toward affected communities
are paramount to promote rapid health seeking behaviour for
patients and further reduce case fatality ratio of the disease,


View/Open

OEW16-1111720422022.pdf (‎2.407Mb)‎

https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/353351

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://theeagleonline.com.ng/lassa-fever-kills-eight-in-gombe/

Lassa Fever kills eight in Gombe
By The Eagle OnlineApril 27, 20220

Eight persons have died from from Lassa Fever in Gombe State, North eastern Nigeria.

The State’s Epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health State, Dr Nuhu Bille, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Gombe Wednesday, indicating that 225 persons had so far been tested, out of which 20 were confirmed positive and 10 were treated and discharged.

He added that two confirmed cases were on admission, while eight cases were still pending.

The epidemiologist said the cases were recorded in six local government areas (LGAs) of the state, namely; Balanga, Funakaye, Kwami, Kaltungo, Nafada and Gombe.

He, however, said Dogonruwa community in Kaltungo LGA had the highest burden...

 

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Source: https://punchng.com/ncdc-alerts-health-workers-as-lassa-fever-kills-140/

NCDC alerts health workers as Lassa fever kills 140
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
6 May 2022

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has said 22 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory have reported 751 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2022.

This number, according to the centre, is apart from the 4,272 suspected cases reported so far in the country.

The centre also noted that 140 deaths had been reported so far.

Nigeria has continued to witness an increase in the number of Lassa fever cases amidst a decline in COVID-19 cases.

The NCDC appealed to health workers to “maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease, be vigilant and look out for symptoms of Lassa fever. Not all fevers are malaria.” ....