Global Outbreak Update: 324 Lassa fever confirmed cases in Nigeria

The virus is currently focalized in the Edo and Ondo states, but with cases reported across 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory

Status: 14 February 2019
Time frame and cases: 324 confirmed cases and 3 probable cases. Of these, 72 fatalities have occurred. This indicates a fatality ratio of 22%. These cases have been reported in the period between 01. January to 10. February 2019.
Regions: All confirmed reported cases have occurred in 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Most cases have concentrated in the states of Edo (108 cases) and Ondo (103 cases).
Virus information: No particular variety of the virus provided. This is due to the virus being a single-stranded RNA virus of the Arenaviridae family.
Response: The Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has declared an emergency outbreak as of 22. January 2019. Currently, teams deployed in several states are undertaking activities for 1. Field investigations, 2. Response activities, 3. Rapid response teams, 4. Establishment of treatment centers, 5. Risk communication, 6. Community engagement and 7. Surveillance. Also, an international Lassa fever conference took place 16. to 17. January 2019.
Recommendation: Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever, transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur. Prevention relies on community promotion of hygienic conditions to discourage rodents from entering homes. Healthcare staff must implement standard infection prevention and control measures. There are reports of disease transmission due to inadequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards in some health facilities.
More information on this update here.

About the esanum Global Outbreak Updates
This section gives our users short updates from the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News (DONs). They provide a glimpse into the day-to-day workings and importance of the overlaps amongst international public health cooperation, epidemiology, and national health systems.
For more information, please visit the WHO’s Disease Outbreak News