Attachments
Notes
In week 11 of 2024, 35 new confirmed cases have been reported in Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, Cross River, and Ebonyi States. Cumulatively from week 1 to 11, 2024, 142 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5%. In total for 2024, 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 123 Local Government Areas. Sixty-two (62%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 38% were reported from 24 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 62% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 23%, Edo 23%, and Bauchi 16% • The predominant age group affected is 31-40 years (Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9 . The number of suspected cases has progressively increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2023. In the same epi week, another Healthcare worker was affected causing more scare among health care workers.
Description
The Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria keeps escalating with a cumulative 4, 726 cases since week 1 of 2024. Sadly, 142 deaths have been recorded so far and 31 healthcare workers have been affected in 27 states including the FCT. The worst affected states are Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, Cross River, Rivers, Anambra, and Ebonyi States with 123 Local Government Areas. Although Lassa fever disease is endemic in Nigeria, a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5% has raised a lot of concerns, especially around late diagnosis and reporting which has led to increased fatality. Comparing the present situation with the 2023 outbreak, the number of suspected cases in 2024 has progressively increased (4,726) compared to that reported for the same period in 2023, which was 3, 361. The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). So far, the response has been coordinated through 8 pillars namely: Coordination, Research, Risk Communication, Surveillance, Case Management, Logistics, Laboratory, Infection Prevention and Control and Safe burial. The NCDC has highlighted the following as major challenges and gaps in response- Late presentation of cases leading to an increase in CFR Poor health-seeking behavior due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of Lassa fever Poor environmental sanitation conditions observed in high-burden communities Poor awareness and lack of community engagement in high-burden communities Poor IPC measures among health workers especially at the Primary Health Care level Inadequate Psychosocial services to the community health workers who have rejected patients as a result of fear of infection and consequently death. In recognition of the grassroots presence and the strength and capacity of the Red Cross in community engagement, active case search, and health promotion, the Government is requesting the Red Cross support to bridge the gap in response, enhance community awareness, and promote early detection and presentation of cases to reduce the mortality rates and improve health and wellbeing.