The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned Nigerians to be wary of Lassa Fever disease, saying the dreaded disease has killed 40 persons in 11 states across the country withing a space of four weeks.
According to the agency, between January 1 to 30, 2022, a total of 211 confirmed cases of Lassa fever have been reported, with a case fatality ratio of 19 per cent).
It said the states with the disease burden are: Bauchi, Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta and Katsina.
The agency further disclosed that of all 82 confirmed cases, Ondo recorded (30 per cent), Edo (27 per cent) and Bauchi (25 per cent).
In a statement, the NCDC said: “In week 4 (between January 24 to 30, 2022, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 74 in week 3, 2022 to 42 cases. These were reported from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Enugu and Delta States.
“The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 80 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021. No new Healthcare workers were affected in the reporting.
“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Coordination Centre (EOC) activated to coordinate response activities at all levels.”
In order to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease, the NCDC offers the following advice: Ensure proper environmental sanitation – that is, keep your environment clean at all times, block all holes in your house to prevent rats from entry; Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly. Communities should set up dumpsites very far from their homes to reduce the chances of having rodents within homes; Store foodstuff like rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, etc in containers that are well covered with tight-fitting lids.
Others recommendations are – Avoid drying foodstuffs outside on the floor and roadside where they will be exposed to contamination; Avoid bush burning which can lead to the displacement of rats from bushes to human dwellings; Eliminate rats in homes and communities by setting rat traps and other means; Practice good personal hygiene by frequent washing hands with soap under running water /or use of hand sanitisers when appropriate; and visit the nearest health facility if you notice any of the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever as mentioned earlier, and avoid self-medication.