Nigeria has recorded 13 additional cases of Lassa fever in seven days from Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The new cases were confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in its epidemiological report made available to journalists today (Monday, August 15, 2022). The centre said since the beginning of 2022, 70 per cent of infections have come from three states; Ondo (31 per cent), Edo (26 per cent) and Bauchi (13 per cent).
Also, the report revealed that the nation has recorded 165 deaths across 17 states.
“In week 31 (August 1 to 7,2022), the number of new confirmed cases increased from 10 in week 30, 2022 to 13 cases. These were reported from Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi and Imo states.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 31, 2022, 165 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (23.1 per cent).
“In total for 2022, 25 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 100 local government areas.
“Of all confirmed cases, 70 per cent are from Ondo (31 per cent), Edo (26 per cent) and Bauchi (13 per cent) states.”
The NCDC stated that the predominant age group affected was 21 to 30 years (range zero to 90 years, median age 30 years), while the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.8.
“The number of suspected cases has increased, compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.
“No new healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 31,” it said.
The NCDC, however, said that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) has continued to coordinate the response activities at all levels.
Recall that the number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.
Meanwhile, the agency did not state if there were any new healthcare workers affected in reporting week 31.
Lassa fever was first discovered in Nigeria when two missionary nurses became ill with the virus in 1969. Its name is derived from the village of Lassa, where it was first documented.
Lassa fever is a viral infection carried by the multimammate rat mastomys natalensis, which is one of the most common rodents in equatorial Africa and across much of sub-Saharan Africa.
Lassa fever mainly occurs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. However, the mastomys rat is common in neighbouring countries; so, these areas are also at risk.
Once the vector is infected with the virus, it can excrete trusted sources of the virus in its faeces and urine, potentially for the rest of its life.
As a result, the virus can spread easily, especially as the rats breed rapidly and can inhabit human homes.
The most common method of transmission is by consuming or inhaling rat urine or faeces. It can also be spread through cuts and open sores.
The rats live in and around human habitation, and they often come into contact with foodstuffs. Sometimes people eat the rats and the disease can be spread during preparation.
Person-to-person contact is possible via blood, tissue, secretions or excretions, but not through touch. Sharing needles may spread the virus and there are some reports of sexual transmission.
Also, Lassa fever can be passed between patients and staff at poorly equipped hospitals where sterilisation and protective clothing are not standard.
Meanwhile, a new vaccine shows promise to fight the Lassa virus.
Researchers at the University of Texas medical branch have achieved success with a new vaccine developed to fight Lassa Virus, a pathogen that causes Lassa fever.
Lassa fever is lethal in humans and nonhuman primates, with a mortality rate as high as 70 per cent in hospitalised cases.
As many as 500,000 people are infected each year in West Africa. Lassa fever may also induce serious, long-lasting effects in survivors.
As many as one-third of those infected suffer hearing loss or other neurological complications.
