Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire
NCDC issues alert over Lassa fever resurgence, 102 victims die, as Edo, Ondo top fatalities
Nigeria Centre for Disease (NCDC) has raised a fresh alert over the resurgence of the Lassa fever disease, as the agency now claims new cases has topped 4,632 with 102 fatalities across the country.
The centre, in its latest advisory, issued, Sunday, in Abuja also warned Nigerians of the possibilities of Lassa fever presenting malaria-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough among others.
NCDC also disclosed that it has already informed states in the country on the dangers of the disease as well as new symptoms to look out for.
Since, the last outbreak of the disease in 2016, the NCDC noted that there had been an increase in the number of recurring cases. In 2019, the centre noted that a total of 796 cases were reported, while in 2020, a total of 1,165 cases were confirmed during the height of the pandemic.
“Lassa fever initially presents like any other febrile disease such as malaria. its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.
“Healthcare workers should maintain a high index suspicion for Lassa fever. Any illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index suspicion for Lassa fever.
“The time between an infection and appearance of symptoms of the disease is 6 to 21 days. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chances of survival,” the NCDC report said.
On the fatalities recorded, the agency said Ondo had the highest number of deaths reporting no fewer than 47 deaths, Edo reported 15 deaths, Bauchi 12,Taraba 12, Ebonyi 9, Kaduna 4, Enugu 1 and Nasarawa with two deaths respectively.
The NCDC gave the number of cases and the respective states as follows: “Edo 2,725, Ondo 1,006, Bauchi 164, Ebonyi 143, Nasarawa 79, Taraba 72, FCT 59, Kaduna 53, Delta 50, Plateau 42, Benue 34, Kano 24, Gombe 22, Kogi 17, Lagos 16, Borno 15, Enugu 14.
Others include: Jigawa 12, Abia 11, Anambra 10, Rivers 10, Imo 9, Adamawa 8, Kwara, Yobe, Oyo, Cross River 4 each, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun 3 each, Katsina and Kebbi 2 each, Niger and Zamfara 1 each.
“Confirmed cases are treated at identified treatment centres across the country, Lassa fever alert letter sent to states, response team have been deployed to three states.
“The five 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.”
