Death toll on Lassa Fever , rises to 61 with 16 deaths while 107 suspected cases of Lassa Fever virus are recorded in 10 states across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), disclosed
And following this increase , NCDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centre, (EOC) to coordinate the response to the outbreak.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the total number of 107 suspected Lassa Fever cases have been recorded in ten States: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo and Lagos States.
“as at 21st January 2018, the total number of confirmed cases is 61, with 16 deaths recorded. Ten health care workers have been infected in four States (Ebonyi – 7, Nasarawa – 1, Kogi – 1 and Benue – 1) with three deaths in Ebonyi State.”
In supporting the response in the affected states , NCDC said that the commission is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, African Field Epidemiology Network, US Centers for Disease Control, University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and other agencies, to fight the disease in the affected states.
Healthcare workers in health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, especially where infection prevention and control procedures are not strictly adhered to hence Lassa fever can be prevented through practicing good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation, he said
On how Lassa Fever is transmitted and prevented, the statement said, the fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to- person transmission can also occur, particularly in hospital environment in the absence of adequate infection control measures.
Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to discourage rodents from entering homes. Hand washing should be practiced frequently.
