On Sunday the 14th of January
2018, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of four cases
of Lassa fever among health care workers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Three of the
four cases have subsequently passed away.
The Honourable Minister of
Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, immediately requested that NCDC provides
support to the Government of Ebonyi State, to investigate and respond to this
cluster of cases.
Following the report, the
Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, in
collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) immediately commenced
the public health response, supporting the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health. A
Rapid Response Team has been immediately deployed from NCDC to support the
State in response coordination, contact tracing, case management and
strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures. The NCDC has
also provided urgently required medical supplies and drugs to support case
management in the State.
Key Facts
- Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 2-21 days duration that occurs in West Africa.
- The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
- Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.
- Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well.
- The overall case-fatality rate is 1%. Observed case-fatality rate among patients hospitalized with severe cases of Lassa fever is 15%.
- Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.
According to the Chief
Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, ‘Health care workers in
health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease,
especially where infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures are not
strictly adhered to. We therefore strongly advise that health care workers
practice universal care precautions while handling patients at all times, not
just when Lassa fever is suspected. We commiserate with the Federal Teaching
Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) and Ebonyi State Government, and will support them
to avert a future occurrence’. Although there is no vaccine currently available
for Lassa fever, the disease can be prevented. Members of the public are advised
to keep their environments clean in order to discourage rats from entering
homes. Food stuff should be stored in rodent-proof containers, garbage should
be disposed properly and far from the home, and hand washing should be
practiced frequently.
Health care workers are again
reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing a
febrile illness such as malaria; and are advised to practice universal care
precautions at all times. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected
cases of malaria. When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness
including Lassa fever should be considered.
Extra caution should be taken
by family members who are providing care for patients with Lassa fever. In
addition, States are encouraged to ensure safe burial practices for patients
who die from Lassa fever.
The National guidelines for
Infection Prevention and Control, as well as Lassa fever case management have
been developed, disseminated to States and are available on the NCDC website
for download (http://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/guidelines).
The Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control remains committed to supporting all States’ public health teams to
prevent and respond to public health threats.
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