Nigeria information 1,035 Lassa fever circumstances, 174 deaths throughout 28 states – NCDC
Nigeria has recorded 1,035 confirmed circumstances of Lassa fever out of 8,569 suspected circumstances, with 174 deaths reported throughout 28 states and 129 native authorities areas as of October 13, 2024.
During the 2023/2024 season, the nation additionally recorded 4,915 suspected circumstances of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), with 380 confirmed circumstances and 361 deaths throughout 174 LGAs in 24 states, together with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), revealed these statistics throughout a press briefing in Abuja, stressing the necessity for vigilance as Lassa fever continues to have an effect on lives and livelihoods.
Dr. Idris harassed that the company’s alert on Lassa Fever and meningitis was essential to stopping avoidable lack of life, which impacts people, households, and the nation as a complete.
He emphasised that each illnesses are preventable with well timed, proactive measures.
To deal with these dangers, the NCDC has already strengthened its prevention and mitigation methods forward of the anticipated outbreak season. Dr. Idris emphasised the significance of early intervention, particularly contemplating the circumstances already recorded this yr.
The NCDC is dedicated to complete efforts to scale back the unfold and affect of those infections throughout Nigeria.
On Lassa Fever, Dr. Idris defined that the Federal Government, by means of the Ministry of Health and NCDC, has been main efforts to stop, detect, and reply to Lassa Fever circumstances.
He identified that the variety of states reporting Lassa Fever circumstances has been steadily rising resulting from improved surveillance and better neighborhood consciousness.
He additionally highlighted that environmental components, similar to local weather change and different dangerous human actions, have contributed to the rise in circumstances.
NCDC and Federal Health Ministry lead illness management efforts
On Lassa Fever, Dr. Idris defined NCDC, working in tandem with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has been main efforts to detect, stop, and reply to Lassa fever outbreaks yearly.
Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic sickness attributable to the Lassa virus, is primarily unfold by multimammate rats, though different rodents may carry the virus.
“The disease’s high virulence leads to significant challenges for affected families and communities. We have continued to see a steady increase in the number of states reporting Lassa fever cases. This rise is due, in part, to improved surveillance, better community awareness, environmental degradation from climate change, and other harmful human activities,” he stated.
Rise in Lassa fever circumstances tied to improved surveillance and environmental points
Dr. Idris famous that the rise in reported Lassa fever circumstances stems from components similar to enhanced illness surveillance, better neighborhood consciousness, and climate-induced environmental degradation.
“In 2022, Nigeria reported 1,067 confirmed circumstances throughout 27 states and 112 native authorities areas. In 2023, 28 states and 114 native authorities areas reported confirmed circumstances, with 9,155 suspected circumstances, 1,270 confirmed circumstances, and 227 deaths. As of October 13, 2024, 8,569 suspected circumstances, 1,035 confirmed circumstances, and 174 deaths have been reported throughout 28 states and 129 native authorities areas.
“The disease also leads to significant loss of livelihood in the communities it affects. Heads of households are unable to work when exposed to Lassa fever, and when other household members are infected, the cost of care and treatment, which is often significant, strains existing household income, pushing families toward poverty in a swift turn of events,”
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) stays a persistent risk
Nigeria additionally faces a major meningitis problem, with 380 confirmed circumstances and 361 deaths out of 4,915 suspected circumstances within the 2023/2024 season.
Dr. Idris defined that CSM, an epidemic-prone illness, turns into particularly prevalent throughout Nigeria’s dry season, which brings mud, winds, chilly nights, and frequent higher respiratory tract infections, improve the chance of an infection, particularly with crowding and poor air flow.
‘Meningitis Belt’ at highest danger amid vaccination campaigns
The highest burden of CSM in Nigeria happens within the ‘Meningitis Belt,’ which incorporates all 19 states within the northern area, the Federal Capital Territory, and a few southern states similar to Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, and Osun.
“Vaccination efforts remain a priority, and during the 2023/2024 season, a total of 2,281,750 doses of Men5CV-ACWYX were administered to high-risk populations in Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, and Yobe, covering 134 wards in 13 local government areas. The campaign targeted individuals aged 1 to 29 years, comprising 70 per cent of the population.”
However, Dr. Idris highlighted that regardless of vital progress in surveillance, diagnostic capability, and vaccination over the previous couple of years, “CSM remains a priority disease and an ever-present public health threat in Nigeria, with annual outbreaks in high-burden states presenting a challenge for people, health systems, economies, and communities,” he highlighted.
- He urged Nigerians to obtain the suitable vaccination required to guard in opposition to meningitis, keep away from shut and extended contact with confirmed circumstances of CSM, and keep away from overcrowding in households, faculty dormitories, internally displaced individuals camps, prisons, and different communal settings.
- Dr. Idris inspired all eligible Nigerians to get vaccinated, keep away from shut contact with confirmed circumstances of meningitis, and scale back overcrowding in communal settings similar to faculties, prisons, and internally displaced individuals camps.
He suggested healthcare staff have been additionally suggested to take care of excessive requirements of an infection management and report suspected circumstances promptly to native well being officers to make sure fast intervention.
