At the beginning of 2012, the Federal
Ministry of Health in Nigeria notified the World Health Organisation of an
outbreak of Lassa Fever in the country. As of 22nd March 2012, 623
suspected cases have been recorded and this includes 70 deaths from 19 out of
the 36 States since the beginning of the year. Among the fatalities are 3 doctors and 4 nurses. The presence of the Lassa virus has
been confirmed in 108 patients by laboratory analysis at the Irrua Specialist
Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State. (It must be noted that this
information is provisional and subject to change as more laboratory results of
suspected cases becomes available.)
The Federal and State government have responded to the outbreak by setting up an emergency response team for the
purpose of enhancing the disease surveillance to enable early detection,
reinforce treatment of patients and conduct awareness campaigns among the
affected population.
WHO does not advise or recommend any
restriction on travel or trade with Nigeria but travellers returning from
affected areas are however advised to seek medical advice if they develop
symptoms of fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
From this report it can be seen that
Lassa fever cases have continue to increase in Nigeria. A previous report dated
22nd February 2012 stated that in the first six weeks of 2012 there
had been 392 cases of Lassa fever and 40 fatalities across the country. The
Minister of Health reported that 2 doctors and 4 nurses were among the dead and
cases were reported in 12 states: Edo, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ebonyi, Taraba, Yobe,
Ondo, Rivers, Gombe, Anambra, Delta and Lagos. Currently the outbreak has
spread to 19 states.
Map of Nigeria
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease
caused by the Lassa virus. The rodent of the genus Mastomys – commonly known as
the “multimammate rat” – is the animal reservoir host for the Lassa virus.
Mastomys rodents infected with the Lassa virus do not become ill and they shed
the virus in their excreta.
Image from CDC: Special Pathogen Branch
The virus was first discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died in the town of Lassa, Borno State, Nigeria.
Humans become infected with the Lassa virus
when they are exposed to the excreta of infected Mastomys rodents and the
infection can spread further between humans through direct contact with the
blood, urine, faeces or other bodily secretions of persons with Lassa fever.
Person-to-person transmission occurs in both community and health care settings
where the virus may spread through contaminated medical equipment such as
re-used needles. The virus is present in semen for up three months after the
disease begins, thus sexual transmission of Lassa virus can occur however there
is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread of the virus between
humans.
In the absence of an effective
vaccine, rodent control is the best option for the control of the current
outbreak. Health care workers should also follow strict hygiene procedures
during nursing of patients so as to prevent secondary cases.
Other preventive measures include:
- Good personal hygiene
- Good environmental hygiene
- Blocking all rodent hideouts
- Food items like grains, garri, yam powders etc which are used at homes should be stored in plastic sealed containers or rodent-proof containers and not in cartons or bags.
- Do not spread or keep food where rats can have access to them
- Clean the top of any can drink before mouthing or better still use a straw
- Public awareness about the outbreak of Lassa fever is also vital
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