WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 19: 06 to 12 May 2024
Data as reported by: 17:00; 12 May 2024
...
Nigeria
Lassa Fever
6 226 Cases
883 Confirmed
160 Deaths
18.1% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has
shown a sustained downward trend in the number of
new suspected cases and deaths from epidemiological
week 9 (ending on 3 March 2024) to week 19 (ending
on 12 May 2024). In epidemiological week 19, 120
suspected cases, including 14 confirmed cases and
3 deaths, were reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi
states.
Since the start of the year, Nigeria recorded 6 226
suspected cases, 883 confirmed cases, and 160
deaths among confirmed cases. These cases have
been reported from 125 local government areas in
28 states nationwide. Notably, 64.0% of all confirmed
Lassa fever cases were reported from three states:
Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while the remaining 36% were
reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever
cases. Ondo reported majority of the confirmed cases,
25.0% among the three states, followed by Edo 22.0%,
and Bauchi 17.0%.
The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years
(Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32). The maleto-female
ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.Since the beginning
of the outbreak, 33 healthcare workers have
been reported as affected. However, no new cases
among healthcare workers were reported in week 19.
Currently, 87 contacts are under follow-up.
Lassa Fever is endemic in Nigeria, with cases
occurring mainly during the dry season from November
to March. This may explain the recent decline in the
number of new confirmed cases notified starting
from epidemiological week 10 (the week ending on
10 March 2024).
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The national Lassa fever multi-partner and multisectoral
Incident Management system, which
operates from the Emergency Operations Centre,
was promptly activated. This system is designed to
coordinate response at all levels.
Laboratory activities are ongoing and include testing
of all suspected Lassa fever cases nationwide and
external Quality Assurance preparation for all testing
laboratories
Ongoing case management activities include
providing medical treatment to confirmed cases at
designated treatment centres nationwide, distributing
reviewed case management and safe burial
practices guidelines, distributing oral Ribavirin,
PPE, body bags, hypochlorite, thermometers, and
other essential supplies to hot-spot states, and
review of the LF case management screening tool.
As part of Infection and Prevention control
(IPC) measures, the following activities were
implemented: training volunteers and sensitising
frontline Healthcare workers to IPC to increase the
index of suspicion for LF; and implementing IPC
Programs at designated treatment centers and
health facilities through continuous preparedness,
readiness, and response activities. Off-site support
on IPC and safe burial is done in affected states.
Risk communication and community engagement
activities are ongoing, including sensitization on
LF across affected states, media interviews for
updates on the Lassa fever outbreak response,
and dissemination of media content, including
press releases, tweets, public advisories, etc.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The current Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria is gradually
declining. Besides the ongoing response activities,
the change in seasonality may explain the observed
improvement. To sustain the level of control on this
outbreak, addressing several challenges impeding
response efforts is crucial, including poor environmental
sanitation, low awareness in high-burden communities,
late presentation of cases leading to increased CFR,
and poor health-seeking behaviour. A multidisciplinary
one-health approach is critical, incorporating enhanced
surveillance, community engagement, robust treatment
protocols, and strengthened IPC measures. Continued
support from national and international partners is
necessary to address these challenges comprehensively.
...
https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...d-emergencies-bulletin-week-19-06-12-may-2024
