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

[Pathfinder]

28 FEBRUARY 2016

Premium Times (Abuja)

Nigeria: Lassa Fever Kills Eight in Plateau - Health Commissioner

The Commissioner for Health in Plateau, Kunden Deyin, has said that the state recorded eight deaths, 13 confirmed cases and 50 suspected cases of Lassa fever from December 2015 to date.

Mr. Deyin told the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos on Sunday that the state had commenced aggressive sensitisation and awareness campaigns in Jos-Bukuru metropolis and in the 17 local government areas.

He said that the campaigns aimed to enlighten the people on how to prevent the disease and ensure that the menace was nipped in the bud.
...
http://allafrica.com/stories/201602290238.html

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lassa fever kills doctor, nurse, pregnant woman in Kaduna

By Wale Odunsi on February 29, 2016

The trio ? a doctor, a nurse and a pregnant woman, were confirmed dead at Saint Louis Specialist Hospital, Zonkwa, Zango Kataf local government area.

The Commissioner for health in the State, Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, told newsmen on Monday that the doctor and the nurse had symptoms of Lassa fever shortly after operating on the pregnant woman, who was brought in from another hospital in Kafanchan.

He said they died few days after testing positive to the deadly disease.
...

http://dailypost.ng/2016/02/29/lassa-fever-kills-doctor-nurse-pregnant-woman-in-kaduna/

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/lassa-fever-ebonyi-confirms-3-deaths-49-treated/

Lassa fever: Ebonyi confirms 3 deaths, 49 treated
On March 4, 201612:21 am
By Peter Okutu

Ebonyi State Government has declared a state of emergency on Lassa Fever, as the disease has claimed three lives from five confirmed cases recorded, while 49 suspected cases were successfully treated.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Bernard Odo, who disclosed this yesterday in Abakaliki, said measures have been put in place to checkmate its spread, especially in the rural areas of the state.

Meanwhile, an indigene of the state, Dr. Ogboji Aaron, was last month reportedly killed by the disease while performing his one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps in Kaduna State...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://pulse.ng/health/lassa-fever-corper-dies-of-disease-in-kaduna-id4759940.html

Corper dies of disease in Kaduna
Ogboji, the statement said, was a native of Igweledoha Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Published: 03.03.2016
Dimeji Akinloye

A corp member serving in Kaduna, Kelechi Aaron Ogboji, has died of Lassa Fever, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) confirmed.

According to statement released today, march 3, by the NYSC spokesperson, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, the diseased was serving at St. Louis Hospital Zonkwa in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://leadership.ng/?p=507507



Lassa Fever Outbreak: Health Worker Infected, 2 ?Patients? On The Loose In Kaduna
Isaiah Benjamin
? Mar 8, 2016 11:57 am

Another health worker has been infected with the Lassa fever virus in Kaduna State and is currently isolated at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC), Kakuri, Kaduna South local government area of the state, chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Dr Muhammed Sani Ibrahim has disclosed.

He also said that two patients suspected of having the virus, a male from Kachia Hospital and a female from Kawo General Hospital who were referred to Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital where ?lost during medical follow-up and their whereabouts cannot be ascertained.?

The NMA chairman who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the fever outbreak in the state yesterday which has so far claimed the lives of three persons called on the public to observe a good community hygiene including food hygiene and food protection practices...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/17/health/lassa-fever-outbreak-nigeria/

Lassa fever death rates in Nigeria higher than expected
By Meera Senthilingam, for CNN
Updated 9:04 AM ET, Thu March 17, 2016

Story highlights
More than 130 people have now died from a growing outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria
Outbreaks occur most years, but death rates in this outbreak are higher than expected
The virus is spreading at unprecedented rates, with 22 states now reporting cases

More than 130 people are suspected to have died from a Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, according to statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)...

...On average, Lassa fever is deadly in 1% of all individuals infected, with higher rates of 15% morbidity among people hospitalized for the illness, but the current outbreak in Nigeria has seen more than 50% of those affected dying from their infection.

According to NCDC's latest report, dated 14 March 2016, the total number of reported cases is 254 (129 of which confirmed by lab tests) and the total number of deaths (suspected, probable and confirmed) is 137, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 53.9%...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://pulse.ng/health/lassa-fever-...ince-outbreak-in-december-2015-id4843880.html

137 confirmed cases, 80 deaths since outbreak in December 2015
Abdulsalami Nasidi, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in a recent interview stated that since the break out of Lassa fever in December 2015, 137 cases and 80 deaths have been recorded.
Published: 14.12 , Refreshed: 14.13

Abdulsalami Nasidi, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in a recent interview stated that since the break out of Lassa fever in December 2015, 137 cases and 80 deaths have been recorded.

Nasidi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that efforts have been intensified to tackle virus in the country.

?Lassa fever broke out in December 2015 but became worst in February; the total suspected case was 266 and 138 deaths in the whole country.

?Laboratory wise the centre recorded 137 cases and 80 deaths,?? he said.

Nasidi added that the centre has not received any new case in the past 10 days...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

As of 1 April, at least 266 Lassa fever cases have been reported. 138 people have died
from the disease, with the death toll expected to rise as the number of cases steadily
increases. The reported case fatality is 51.8%. Niger, Bauchi, Edo, Oyo and Taraba
states are worst affected. The outbreak was announced on 8 January and is
considered to have started on November 2015 in Bauchi state (NCDC 24/01/2016;
CNN 17/03/2016; WHO 01/04/2016).

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/geo_81.pdf (Page 30)

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Lassa fever: 7 quarantined in Katsina as government appeals for calm

April 15, 2016

Seven people that tested positive to Lassa fever are stil under quarantine in Katsina state, an official has said.

Dr Shamsuddeen Yahaya, Director, Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Katsina.

Yahaya said that other victims were in stable condition and responding to treatment.?Only one person died of Lassa fever in the state,?? he confirmed.

The director said that one other person who tested positive had been treated and discharged.
According to him, other 18 persons whose blood samples were taken to Lagos for screening had tested negative.
The director said that the 18 persons had been discharged from the General Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, where they were isolated.

The Lassa fever situation in Katsina is under control and there is no need for panic among the public.
?The ministry of health in collaboration with Rotary International are currently undertaking sensitisation campaign in markets to educate people on the preventive measures against the disease,?? Yahaya said.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://theeagleonline.com.ng/only-two-persons-died-of-lassa-fever-in-katsina-state-perm-sec/


Only two persons died of Lassa fever in Katsina State ? Perm Sec
Posted by NAN on April 18, 2016
He told reporters that another case of the disease was imported to the state from Gwagwada, Abuja although the patient later died at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina

The Katsina State Government said on Sunday that only two persons died following the outbreak of Lassa fever in the area.
Dr. Kabir Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary in the state?s Ministry of Health, made this known to newsmen in Katsina.
Mustapha said the disease was imported from neighbouring Kaduna State by the relatives of a deceased victim of the disease.
Mustapha said three other persons, who took active part in the burial of the corpse of the deceased victim, contracted the disease.
According to him, the infected persons were immediately taken to the isolation centre at Babbar-ruga to avoid spreading the disease...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Man dies of Lassa fever in UBTH, read the state commissioner of health?s reaction
News Editor 04/19/2016 General News

A patient at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), has reportedly died of the dreaded Lassa fever.

Impeccable sources at the Hospital disclosed that the patient ‎who?s identity could not be verified as at press time, died last week in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, after a surgical operation.

The sources who craved anonymity as they were not authorised to speak on the issue, further disclosed that all ‎the doctors, nurses and other auxiliary staff in the theatre and the Intensive Care Unit who had contact with the late patient are currently being quarantined and closely monitored for symptoms of the hemorrhagic disease.
...
http://www.nigeriannewspapers.today...d-the-state-commissioner-of-healths-reaction/

UBTH quarantines docs, nurses over death of Lassa fever patient
in Local News, News April 19, 2016 76 Views

The demise of a male patient who died of Lassa fever at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State has forced authorities at the hospital to take precautionary measures.
Reports say the patient who died at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital after surgery has forced authorities of the hospital to quarantine all ‎the doctors, nurses and other auxiliary staff, who had contact with him at the theatre and ICU.
They are also being closely monitored for likely symptoms of the haemorrhagic disease with medical equipment used in the patient?s treatment quarantined too to avoid likely infection.
Sources say the victim died some weeks after burying his mum in Ekpoma who reports say died of Lassa fever. He had been complaining of appendicitis and was admitted at the UBTH before he gave up the ghost three hours after surgery.
...
http://www.ripples.com.ng/ubth-quarantines-docs/

 

[Vibrant62]

WHO Factsheet on Lassa Fever.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs179/en/

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/27-may-2016-lassa-fever-nigeria/en/ [h=1]Lassa Fever ? Nigeria[/h] 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.
[h=3]Public health response[/h] 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.
[h=3]WHO Risk Assessment[/h] 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.
[h=3]WHO Advice[/h] 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.

 

[Ronan Kelly]

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.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/27-may-2016-lassa-fever-nigeria/en/

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.nigeriatoday.ng/2016/06/lassa-fever-claims-149-lives-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...

 

[Pathfinder]

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.
...
http://www.channelstv.com/2016/08/22/delta-state-records-new-case-lassa-fever/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
...
http://ynaija.com/fg-identifies-59-lassa-fever-contacts-delta-anambra/

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fresh-outbreak-lassa-fever-recorded-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...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

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.

 

[Ronan Kelly]

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/nigeria-records-154-lassa-fever-deaths-one-year/

 

[Ronan Kelly]

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.
...
http://sunnewsonline.com/lassa-fever-kills-2-in-abeokuta/