Lassa Fever In Nigeria: Outbreaks and Preventive Solutions

Introduction

Lassa fever is a very serious, infectious and chronic disease that is caused by an RNA virus transmitted by rodents that are already affected by it.

These rodents carry the virus and transmit it on urine, excreta, saliva and other fluids and so any human who gets in contact with these either by inhaling or ingesting can be affected by the virus thereby having Lassa fever. Also handling any item already contaminated by this virus can get one affected.

In this write-up, we will examine Lassa fever in Nigeria, its symptoms, outbreaks and solutions to prevent it.

History

This disease affects a lot of people in Nigeria and over time it has affected over 500, 000 people in the whole of West Africa. The very first place this illness was noticed was in Borno State in 1969 where two missionary nurses died from it.

Symptoms

The period the virus stays in the human body before the symptoms start showing is between 6-21 days and the symptoms include loss of hearing, vomiting, pains in the chest and abdomen, sore throat, brain problems, fever, internal bleeding, cough, meningitis, hypertension, epilepsy, low blood pressure and tremors.

With these symptoms, it may be hard to diagnose this disease in its early stage except tests are done in the laboratory.

Outbreaks in Nigeria

Subsequently, in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia, there have also been more cases of the outbreak of this disease. According to the Pan-African Medical Journal, in 2012, about 70 people died while there were over 623 reported cases of this outbreak. In 2016, there were about 212 cases and over 63 deaths.

According to WHO, the recent Lassa fever outbreak occurred in 17 Nigerian states namely Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, and Taraba and as of 2017, this outbreak is still pre-dominant in nine states which are Anambra, Bauchi, Cross-River, Edo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau, and Kano.

The largest and most widespread of this disease was recorded in 2018 which saw over 1081 cases and about 90 deaths. Most of these cases were from Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi.

Preventive Solutions

The government is doing all it can to ensure this disease does not harm more lives. With the rate at which Lassa fever has spread over the years, an international Lassa fever conference was held in January to rise to the challenge of having experienced this disease for 50 years in Nigeria.

Researchers and health experts were present to suggest ways of curbing it.

In summary, scientists in Nigeria have decided to take leadership control over Lassa fever worldwide in an effort to reduce the number of deaths recorded yearly.

As a result of the outbreak in 2018, NCDC has been working with various states on improving laboratory networks, revising guidelines, developing management tools and communicating effectively about Lassa fever through all mediums.

There are currently four laboratory centres for Lassa fever at Irrua, Owo, Abakaliki and the Virology Centre, Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.

Other diagnostic centers can be found at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LUTH), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital(AKTH).

From research, Lassa fever can be treated by administering a drug known as Ribavirin when the illness is still in its early stage. It has proven to be successful over time as long as patients are given supportive care during this period.

Lassa fever can be prevented by keeping one’s environment free from these harmful rodents; keeping away food and valuable items from the reach of these animals and also staying away from infected persons.

The World Health Organization has suggested possible preventive measures so that the rate at which people contact this disease can be reduced.

There are now Lassa fever review meetings between WHO and other health-related organisations such as the University of Texas Medical Branch, United States Centers for Disease Control and the African Field Epidemiology Network.

So far, there is proper monitoring of the states that have been affected by Lassa fever, adequate reporting and recording on the right database. Also, treatment centres have been established in various states to manage such cases when reported.

WHO has strongly advised that proper and adequate hygiene must be considered if this illness is to be prevented. Also, in the hospitals, patients who are affected should be isolated so they don’t contaminate others.