Lassa Fever: Nigeria Records 21 Deaths

Following the confirmation of 77 cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 21 persons have been certified dead.

This was made known by the National Coordinator of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu on Tuesday, at the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council meeting of the National Association of Resident Doctors in Abuja.

He added that of the 21 deceased victims, 10 health workers were affected.

 

Ihekweazu said it is time stakeholders addressed the challenges of hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.

He added that NCDC has distributed more Ribavirin drugs used in the treatment of the disease to the affected states than it had previously done.

He also noted that government alone might be unable to supply the needed drugs to all the affected persons in the nation.

The national coordinator said the centre has produced guidelines for the prevention and control of hemorrhagic fevers, adding that NARD members should work with their hospitals’ chief medical directors to address outbreaks.

In his remarks, President, Nigeria Medical Association,  Prof Mike Ogrima, advised doctors in the country not to attend to patients if they do not have protective gears.

Prof Ogrima said:“You have to get some level of immunity or protection before you provide services to such patients.”

Lassa fever is a viral infection caused by the Lassa fever virus and the disease occurs all year round but more cases are recorded during the dry season.

It is spread through direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats, eating food or drinking contaminated water.

The disease can be prevented through practicing good personal hygiene, avoiding all contact with rats (dead or alive) and keeping the house and surrounding clean always.