Edo records 240 cases of Lassa fever, 21 deaths

Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Dr Joseph Okoeguale, on Monday, said Edo State recorded 240 positive cases of Lassa fever and 21 deaths between December and March 2024.

Okoeguele also revealed that 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of Lassa fever infection annually with over 5000 deaths.

Okoeguele made the revelation while delivering a lecture titled “University Community Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research: Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria” at the first edition of the College of Medical Science Lecture Series organized by the Edo State University Uzairue.

He said Lassa fever was classified by the World  Health Organization as a priority disease for research and development.

He said only 20 per cent of those infected are symptomatic while 80 per cent are asymptomatic and do not seek medical attention nor present themselves for treatment.

Dr. Okoeguale, a consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, said the only way to bring a stop to the scourge is by prevention and vaccination.

He said Lassa fever has continued to cause mortalities in all age groups both male and female, undiagnosed and unchallenged hence, WHO has recommended centres of excellence in the affected region such as Lassa Fever Centre at Kenema General Hospital, Sierra Leone, and the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua also known as Institute of Viral And Emergent Pathogens Control and Research.

The consultant added that the number has been increased to five with Federal Medical Center, Owo, FMC Bauchi, and FETHA, Abakaliki.

He said, “Lassa fever outbreak has continued to occur yearly with growing incidence and increasing geographical spread affecting children, pregnant and nonpregnant adults in Nigeria.

“The yearly outbreak of Lassa fever has placed enormous strain on all aspects of the health system in Nigeria and the only way to bring a stop to this scourge of disease is by vaccination and prevention”.

“Edo State recorded 240 positive cases of Lassa fever and 21 deaths between December and March 2024, while 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of Lassa fever infection annually with over 5000 deaths.

The director disclosed that the centre is designing trials that would help in developing new drugs and vaccines for Lassa fever.

“We have built and equipped an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing centre and we commenced the sequencing not only of the Lassa fever virus but the Covid-19 and Monkey Pox Virus.

“We have recently received approval from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership to conduct a platform trial of new drugs for Lassa fever.

“We are currently collaborating with the United States Centre of Disease Control, George Town, and the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship program for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases.”

In his opening address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Dawood Egbefo, said that the gathering was to address a critical issue that impacted not only the community but also the entire nation.

He said Lassa fever remained a significant public health challenge in Nigeria that affected countless lives and placed a strain on the healthcare system.