The disease, mainly transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or excrement, has infected 1,154 people in six Nigerian states.

Jide Idris, head of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), said the agency’s risk assessment has categorized it as high, prompting the activation of the emergency Operations Centre to manage the outbreak.

“While the disease occurs throughout the year, peak transmission typically happens between October and May, coinciding with the dry season when human exposure to rodents increases,” he said at a press briefing in Abuja.

The centre will ensure seamless coordination of the control and management of the outbreak.

Symptoms of the virus – which can also be passed between people through bodily fluids of those infected – include fever, headaches and, in the most severe cases, death.

The World Health Organization classifies Lassa fever as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential and lack of approved vaccines.

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This is because, it said those affected include some doctors and other health workers exposed in their line of duty.

The GMA in a statement issued Wednesday, said while it acknowledges measures being put in place to trace their contacts and contain the virus from spreading further.

It is also “facilitating the provision of psychological support to the colleagues confirmed with the disease,” and counselled the public to take precautionary measures.

“The virus spreads to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of mice. It also spreads from one person to the other through direct contact with bodily fluids e.g. urine, blood, faeces or contaminated clothes and beddings of an infected person.

“This risk of spread among health professionals is high when infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols are not adhered to during the care of patients.”

Symptoms of Lassa Fever
Most people infected with the virus may present with mild symptoms or may be asymptomatic.

The early symptoms of Lassa fever are non-specific and usually includes fever, general malaise, weakness, and headache.

Other symptoms may include sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain.

Severe cases may present with bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or stomach.

Treatment
According to the GMA, while no vaccine currently offers protection against Lassa Fever, Ribavirin offers good outcomes especially when given early along with other supportive management.

“The GMA is engaging the government to fast-track the mobilization of the drug to ensure its availability for the management of patients.”

Adherence to IPC protocols
The GMA advised its members to adhere strictly to IPC protocols especially regarding the use of PPEs at all times and ensure all other members of the care team do same, particularly in wearing of facemasks at all times at work, frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitisers, use of gloves and avoidance of contact with bodily fluids.

“Members are also urged to have a high index of suspicion for individuals presenting with the signs and symptoms outlined above.”

This brings the total number of cases to 14 following the first two cases on Sunday.

This was contained in a statement by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) which noted the cases were detected during contact tracing and testing after the first two cases were announced on 26^th of February 2023.

“Following the institution of control measures including contact tracing and testing, 12 additional cases who were close contacts have been confirmed. This brings to 14 the total number of confirmed cases for this outbreak,” the statement read in part.

The statement, signed by the Director-General of GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has advised the public of the need to report to the nearest health facility when unwell.

“One death has so far been recorded. All 13 cases are alive and in stable condition and are being managed in designated health facilities. A total of 97 contacts have been identified and efforts are underway to identify more contacts,” the statement added.

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Meanwhile, the statement indicated a probable case has been reported from Central Region and contacts are being identified and monitored “while we await confirmation.”

Psychological support is being provided for all cases and contacts.

According to the service, it has deployed a team to track the disease from man-to-man transmission to health facilities.

Lassa fever is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rat and mouse excreta.

Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, stated that the health management organisation is on course with its contact tracking.

“What we are doing now is identifying the man-to-man transmission contacts. We are looking at the close associations of the first case and the health facility where the first case was handled.  Those are the contacts that we are tracking and for now, we have been able to identify 56.”

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed two cases of Lassa Fever in Accra after tests by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

The GHS disclosed that the first case was a 40-year-old trader, who was unwell for a period of about two weeks and finally died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The second case is a contact of the fatal case and is currently on admission but is very stable. So far, 56 contacts have been identified and are being followed up by the Ghana Health Service.

The GHS in a statement signed by Director-General, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye noted that Public Health Emergency Management committees at all levels (National, Regions and Districts) have been activated with detailed investigations including an environmental assessment ongoing.

The Health Service added that essential medications and logistics including Personal Protecting Equipment are being mobilized while contact tracing and management are ongoing.

Lassa fever (a viral hemorrhagic fever) is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the service has began contact tracing and community sensitization as well as education for health workers.

Ministry of Health in collaboration with stakeholders have assure the general public that all efforts are being made to contain this outbreak and present further spread of the virus.

Here is the basic things to know about Lassa Fever

Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat.

It is endemic in parts of West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria and now Ghana.

Lassa fever is caused by Lasso virus and the incubation period is 2-21 days

The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodents (rats or mices) urine or feces.

Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, feces or other bodily fluids of a person infected with Lassa fever. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported.

Symptoms of Lassa fever

The early symptoms of Lassa fever may include fever and weakness. Persons may later present with headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough and abdominal pain.

In severe cases, there may be bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or stomach. Death usually occurs within 14 days of onset in fatal cases.

Treatment mod prophylaxis

There is medicine (antiviral) for treatment and much effective if taken early. There is currently no vaccine that protects against Lassa fever.

Prevention and control

Prevention relies on promoting community hygiene to discourage rodents from entering our homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats.

Also, avoid contact with blood and body fluids when caring for sick persons. The Ministry of Health and Ghana Ilealth Service. in collaboration with our partners. wishes to assure the general public that all efforts arc being made to contain this outbreak and present further spread of lbe virus.

The cases were detected by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research on Friday, February 24, 2023.

The first case was a 40-year-old trader who was unwell for a period of about two weeks and died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The second patient is a contact case of the deceased patient who is currently on admission but is in a stable condition.

The GHS in a press release said 56 contacts have been traced and identified and are being followed up.

In line with the current traces, some underlisted public health measures have been undertaken.

At all levels – national, regional and district, a Public Health Emergency Management Committee has been activated.

Also, detailed investigation including environmental assessment has started.

Essential medications and logistics including Personal Protecting Equipment (PPE) are being mobilized.

Contact tracing and management are on-going as well as quarantine of contacts has been instituted and daily follow up by health staff.

Strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) with barrier nursing has been instituted.

Sensitization of health staff and community sensitization and education on Lassa fever has started.

He was said to have complained of fever but continued working, only to collapse while carrying out surgery. 

The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Nasarawa State, Dr Peter Attah, who confirmed the sad development in Lafia on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, said the doctor died on December 31. 

“As an association, we got information when he was already dead, but from our investigation, the sickness started like a fever, but he kept working even when he was on treatment,” he said. 

“While on call on December 24, he collapsed at the theatre when carrying out surgery on a patient and his family had to rush him to the National Hospital, Abuja for attention, but unfortunately we lost him,” he added. 

Attah lamented that it was after the death of the doctor that the sample taken came out and was found positive for Lassa Fever.

“The deceased had to go to work and carry out surgery even when he was sick because there were only two doctors at the General Hospital, Garaku.

“How can only two Doctors handle the entire LGA of over 150,000 population? The workload is too much.

“The government should employ more doctors and introduce incentives to curtail brain drain in the state,” he lamented further. 

He said the deceased, who graduated just five years ago, died in his prime and left behind a wife, children and other loved ones.

He also urged the state government to increase the hazard allowances of doctors and commence the payment of call-to-duty allowances.

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Hospital Management Board, Egba Edogo, who condoled with the association, said the deceased was highly dedicated to his duty and was good to those who worked with him.

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Edogo said the board was still in shock over Ahmed’s demise and prayed to God to give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss, forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest. 

The CMD said though the source of the Lassa Fever was unknown, healthcare workers should take precautionary measures.

He explained that all three suspected cases of Monkey Pox and one suspected Lassa fever had all tested negative and urged people in the region to remain calm. 

Dr. Boateng was addressing the opening session of the 2022 Ahafo Regional Health Sector Performance Review Meeting at Goaso, the regional capital, on the theme: ‘Sustaining Quality of Care for Improved Health Outcomes in the Midst of COVID-19 pandemic.’

Despite Ahafo’s proximity to Ashanti Region, which had recorded two cases, the Regional Health Director, said the region had not recorded any suspected cases of the deadly Marburg virus as well. 

That, notwithstanding, Dr. Boateng indicated that the region had 147 suspected cases of Influenza-live illness (ILI) with 57 of the cases testing positive at the region’s sentinel site for ILI at the Goaso Government Hospital. 

On the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, though the region had no active cases, it recorded a total of 248 suspected cases through the routine contact tracing activities across the six politically-administrative municipalities and districts. 

He added that 58 of the COVID-19 suspected cases tested positive, recording three deaths and, therefore, urged everybody to take precautionary measures against the disease to protect themselves and people around them. 

Dr Boateng commended the government for improving health facilities in the region, saying construction works on the Agenda 111 hospital at Kukuom, Mim and Kenyasi as well as the Infectious Disease Centre at the Goaso Government Hospital and other Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compounds were progressing. 

“The residential accommodation facilities for the Regional Director and his Deputy Directors have been duly handed over. The region has also received various types of logistics largely under the COVID-19 programme and these and other critical equipment have been duly distributed,” Dr. Boateng stated. 

The alert, GHS explains, is on the back of reports of outbreaks received from countries from Liberia, Togo and Nigeria which are all in the West Africa sub-region.

Given the proximity of these countries, it has been cautioned that heightened surveillance is implemented to ensure prompt identification and investigation of a suspected case.

These were contained in a statement signed by the Director-General, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye and copied to all regional directors of GHS.

“All suspected cases must be investigated in line with protocols outlined in Ghana’s IDSR technical guidelines with strict adherence to infection prevention and control protocols.

“Samples should be dispatched immediately to Noguchi Memorial Institute for medical investigation,” the statement urged.

Below is the full statement:

Lassa fever is an Acute Viral Haemorrhagic Fever illness which is endemic in West Africa with an incubation period is 6-21 days.

 Lassa fever virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine, saliva faeces, and blood of the rodent (Multi-mammate rat).

The onset is often gradual, with non-specific signs and symptoms and commonly presents with fever, general weakness and malaise. 

After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain may follow. Severe cases may progress to show facial swelling, bleeding tendencies (from mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract, and low blood pressure.

Shock, seizures, disorientation, and coma may be seen in the late stages. Complications include: deafness, transient hair loss and gait disturbance may occur during recovery.