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Following the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in Delta and Anambra states, the Federal Government has identified and quarantined 59 people who might have had contact with its victims. They are currently being monitored for symptoms of the disease.
The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, who announced the development, debunked reports that three cases of Lassa fever had been recorded in Anambra. Giving details of the outbreak, he explained that on August 17, a case of Lassa fever was confirmed in a 54-year-old man who presented himself the previous day at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State for treatment. He added that the patient was referred to the tertiary health institution from a private hospital in Asaba, Delta State, where he was receiving treatment until his condition deteriorated.
On presentation at the Accident and Emergency Unit of NAUTH, the patient was suspected to have Lassa fever and his blood samples were sent to the reference laboratory at the Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State, where the diagnosis of Lassa fever was confirmed. Unfortunately, the patient reportedly died within an hour of admission.
Consequently, the public health authorities in Delta and Anambra states have commenced epidemiological investigations, contact tracing and prepositioning of drugs and other supplies. Forty contacts were identified in Delta State and 19 in Anambra as at August 22. The Delta and Anambra States Ministries of Health are coordinating the response in their respective states, while the NCDC is providing support and guidance to limit further spread.
Also, Anambra State Government has commenced a campaign against the eating of rats and the drinking of gari, on which rats sometimes defecate, to combat the disease. The State Director of Public Health, Dr. Emmanuel Okafor, said the people were also being enlightened on the eight-breasted rats specie that transmits the infection. Health facilitators have also been sent to the two local government areas of the state to sensitise people in rural areas to the disease.
Edo State Government says it has also reactivated its response and surveillance team on the prevention of Lassa fever, a few days after four persons reportedly died from the disease. Ondo State Government also assured that it has an institutional arrangement in place to prevent the outbreak of the infection in the state.
We commend the NCDC, as well as the Delta and Anambra States’ health authorities for their swift responses to the Lassa fever outbreak. We urge them to intensify their epidemiological surveillance efforts to check further spread of the disease.
The Federal and all state governments should embark on enlightenment campaigns to educate the public on the symptoms of the disease, its management and where to seek medical treatment. The campaign should be taken to every nook and cranny of the country, especially the rural areas, where there is the tendency for people to eat rats.
Since the disease is spread by rats, especially the specie with eight breasts, people should avoid eating rats or foods that have been exposed to rats and their defecation. There is the need to ensure public hygiene by keeping our surroundings clean at all times.
As the NCDC advised, all health workers and health facilities in the country should maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and other viral haemorrhagic fevers. All cases of Lassa fever should be reported to NCDC through toll-free line, 08000-970000-10, twitter account handle @NCDCgov and Facebook page @nigeriacdc.
We cannot afford to have another major health crisis on the scale of Ebola Virus Fever. Let all Nigerians join hands in the effort to contain the latest outbreak of Lassa fever in the country.
