List of states so far affected by Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria 2020.
Lassa fever outbreaks are seasonal, they start in the dry season and peak January/ February. We have treatment and diagnostic centres in Ondo, Ebonyi and Edo States. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control supported by other partners are ensuring rapid containment of the outbreak.
Here are the list of the states in Nigeria so far affected by Lassa fever outbreak 2020
1. Ondo
The first state to record Lassa fever outbreak this year. So far, 84 cases have been reported, 16 have died, 47 are responding to treatment and 21 have been discharged.
The outbreak is said to have affected Owo, Akoko South-West, Akure South, and Ondo West Local Government Areas of the state.
2. Edo
There is an epidemic of Lassa Fever right now in Edo state. 40 cases reported as at 6pm today at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Majority of the cases reported were from Ekpoma and Uromi areas of Edo Central.
3. Kano
The Kano State government has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
Aminu Tsanyawa, the state commissioner for health, said a pregnant woman and two medical doctors, who diagnosed her, have died of the fever.
4. Ebonyi
In Ebony, Lassa fever has taken the life of a 75 year old woman. According to the state commissioner of health: “the woman came in with symptoms of malaria and was on admission for 10 days; sample was taken to Virology centre at Abakaliki Ebonyi state and it was confirmed to be positive of Lassa fever. Unfortunately the patient died yesterday”.
5. Delta
One death has been confirmed in the two Lassa fever cases recorded in Delta State this month, Daily Trust reports. The state government yesterday said the death of the single mother of one occurred at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, the woman died before adequate medication was administered to her a day after she was brought to the hospital.
6. Bauchi
There are also reports of outbreak of suspected cases of Lassa fever in Bauchi State. In a telephone interview, the Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Rilwan Muhammed, said three weeks ago there were reports of suspected cases in the state. He asked for time to verify from the centre responsible for an update on the disease.
7. Enugu
A patient died of Lassa fever at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH), Parklane according to The Sun Newspaper: “the index case of Lassa fever died on Tuesday in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while the sample sent out for investigation returned positive”. It reported.
8. Ogun
You might have read it somewhere that Ogun state was among the affected state but it was Ogun was listed in error by NCDC.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, erroneously listed Ogun State as one of the affected states.
But reacting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, in a release, said there is no case of confirmed Lassa Fever in Ogun, noting that the government had however put its health officials on red alert in the event of a suspected case.
Other states affected but samples for virology yet to be confirmed.. .stay tuned.
9. Plateau
10. Taraba
11. Borno: A 24 year old man have died of Lassa Fever in Borno a while ago at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, two patients are presently under surveillance.
What causes Lassa fever?
Mastomys natalensis is the major host of Lassa virus, other hosts in Nigeria are Mastomys erythroleucus and Hylomyscus pamfi. The presence of these hosts in a particular area signals the potential prevalence of the virus.
How do you prevent Lassa fever?
Please follow these basic rules:
– Cover cracks/holes in your home.
– Keep your waste bin closed.
– Keep your foods well covered as the disease can be transmitted through faeces or urine of infected rats.
-Wash all your kitchen utensils before each use -Ensure all food you eat without cooking are properly covered( like garri for soaking)
-Keep your surroundings clean and neat
-If treating” assumed typhoid and malaria” from your chemist woman with no improvement, see a doctor asap.
If you find a rats bite on your bread or biscuits throw the pack or loaf away, don’t remove the slice with mark and eat the rest.
The only road to survival of lassa fever is early detection and prompt treatment.
Be very suspicious if the fever that is suspected to be “typhoid and Malaria” has not responded to treatment Fever, general weakness.
After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain follow See a doctor ASAP.
Read more:
1. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lassa-fever-death-toll-rises.html
Well done doc!
Thank you