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  • Updated: December 15, 2021

NCDC Intensifies Surveillance In response To Lassa Fever Outbreak In Nigeria

NCDC Intensifies Surveillance In response To Lassa Fever Out

Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) is set to intensify activities for Lassa fever surveillance and response, following outbreaks of cases across Nigeria.

According to NCDC, the centre was notified of the death of two persons from Lassa fever on December 8, 2021.

The first case reported was that of a pregnant woman who presented in a health facility in Nasarawa State and the next one, a medical doctor involved in the management of the patient that later sought medical care in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In addition, another medical doctor linked to the index case was also confirmed to have died of Lassa fever on Tuesday, after receiving medical care.

In response to the above, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health with the support of NCDC has commenced an in-depth epidemiological investigation of the cases to understand the possible source of infection and the extent of spread of the disease.

Contact tracing of all the close contacts of the patients has also commenced.

Following these confirmations of Lassa fever cases in Nasarawa state and FCT, the NCDC has intensified the activities of the national multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary Lassa fever Technical Working Group (TWG) for Lassa fever surveillance and response in the country.

According to NCDC, Lassa fever Emergency Operation Centres have also been activated by the affected state and FCT.

The NCDC also sympathised with the families of the patients and the healthcare workers who have lost their lives to the disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents.

Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings when there is the absence of or inadequate infection control measures.

Lassa fever presents initially like any other febrile illness such as malaria, so a high index of suspicion is required especially for attending healthcare workers.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.

The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease is 3 to 21 days. Early treatment and diagnosis increase the chances of survival.

The disease is endemic in Nigeria like in several other countries in West Africa, and most cases are seen during the dry season, often between November and May.

Since January 2021, a total of 434 confirmed cases with 80 deaths have been reported from seventeen (17) States and sixty-three (63) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. See the latest situation report here 

The NCDC continues to provide support to states through the provision of emergency medical and laboratory supplies and by the deployment of Rapid Response Teams (RRT).

The RRTs through the State Public Health Emergency Operation Centres (PHEOCs) works with states across all response pillars to strengthen preparedness and response activities.

This includes outbreak investigation, contact listing and tracing, response coordination, case management, risk communication, and strengthening infection prevention and control practices.

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