Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the death of at least a 118 people from Lassa fever since the start of the year.
Reports indicate that the acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus, which belongs to the Arenaviridae family, is endemic in Nigeria and is primarily transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
According to a statement released by NCDC early this week, about 3,465 suspected cases spread over 33 states were recorded in the same period, with 645 confirmed in laboratory tests.
All efforts including sensitization of the masses for years have proven futile, reports say with little to no improvement in environmental hygiene in poorer rural areas that could prevent rats from accessing homes, food, and utensils.
The NCDC said it had deployed Rapid Response Teams to 10 states, but has called for intensified efforts from state governments and the private sector to deal with the outbreak.
Lassa fever presents with flu-like systems, a sore throat, muscle pains, cough, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
As the disease progresses, in severe cases it causes facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, and other parts of the body.
Health experts suggest that early intensive supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves chances of survival. Most people will make a full recovery but it can be fatal.
