ICIR
NIGERIA has recorded two new deaths from Lassa fever.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this in a statement mailed to The ICIR on Wednesday.
The deaths involved a pregnant woman and a doctor in Nasarawa State.
The doctor managed the woman after she contracted the disease.
After tests showed he had contracted the disease from the woman, the doctor sought medical care in Abuja where he died.
Besides, tests also showed that another medical doctor linked to the index case has contracted the disease.
He is currently receiving medical care in Abuja.
According to the NCDC, the deaths brought the number of people who had died from the disease in Nigeria since January to 80.
The centre said it was informed of the new cases on December 8.
With the support of NCDC, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has commenced an in-depth epidemiological investigation of the cases to understand the possible source of infection and the extent of the spread of the disease.
Contact tracing of all the close contacts of the patients has commenced, the centre said.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents.
Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings when there is the absence of or inadequate infection control measures.
The disease initially presents like any other febrile illness such as malaria, so a high index of suspicion is required, especially for healthcare workers.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease is three to 21 days. Early treatment and diagnosis increase the chances of survival.
The disease is endemic in Nigeria like in several other countries in West Africa, and most cases are seen during the dry season, often between November and May.
