At least 21 persons died from Lassa fever in Edo State between December 2023 and Match 2024, the Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Dr Joseph Okoeguale, has said.
Okoeguale also disclosed that the state recorded 240 positive cases of the disease within the period.
He stated this while delivering a lecture titled University Community’s Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research, Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria, organised by the College of Medical Science, Edo State University, Uzairue.
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He also revealed that 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of Lassa fever infection annually with over 5,000 deaths.
While noting that Lassa fever is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a priority disease for research and development, he said only 20 per cent of those infected were symptomatic.
“80 percent that are asymptomatic do not sick or present themselves for treatment,” he added.
The consultant obstetrics and gynaecologist said the only way to tackle the scourge of the disease was through prevention and vaccine.
“Lassa fever has continued to cause mortalities in all age groups undiagnosed and unchallenged hence, WHO has recommended centres of excellence in affected regions 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 number has been increased to five with Federal Medical Centre, Owo, FMC Bauchi and FETHA, Abakaliki.
“Lassa fever outbreak has continued to occur yearly with growing incidence and increasing geographical spread affecting children, pregnant and non pregnant 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,
“We have built and equipped an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing centre and we commenced the sequencing not only for Lassa fever virus, but the Covid-19 and monkey pox virus,” he said.
He explained that the centre recently received approval by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) to conduct a platform trial of new drugs for Lassa fever.
“We are currently collaborating with the United States Centre for Disease Control and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship programme for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases,” he added.
Earlier, the institution acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Dawood Egbefo, said Lassa fever remained a significant public health challenge in Nigeria that affected countless lives and placing a strain on the healthcare system.
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