NCDC PREPARES NIGERIAN HOSPITALS FOR PREPAREDNESS AGAINST LASSA FEVER

The Nigeria Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) calls
the attention of Nigerians to an increasing number
of Lassa fever cases, and advices increased focus
on prevention and preparedness.
In the last quarter of 2016, the NCDC commenced
the implementation of its Lassa Fever preparedness
plan ahead of the current dry season to strengthen
nationwide capacity to prevent, detect and respond
to the anticipated Lassa fever cases.
Since the beginning of this current dry season in
December 2016, 7 states have reported at least one
case of Lassa Fever. 19 confirmed cases and 6
deaths have been reported by these 7 states, as
seen in the table below.
STATE CONFIRMED CASES   DEATH

Ogun          2                                    2
Taraba        6                                    1
Nasarawa    2                                   0
Edo                1                                    0
Ondo              1                                    0
Rivers             1                                    0
Plateau             6                                  3
Total                19                                   6
NCDC is working closely with affected states to
ensure an appropriate response to these cases.
Social mobilisation activities and sensitisation of
health workers are being scaled up. The outbreak
response commodities that were prepositioned in
the states by NCDC are being used for the
response. Epidemiological response activities such
as contact listing and tracing are also going in the
affected states. States that had previously identified
and resourced isolation units as they were advised
are much better prepared to deal with cases.
It is encouraging to see that where patients present
early and where healthcare workers have a high
index of suspicion for Lassa fever, Lassa fever
patients are walking out of the treatment centres
in good health. When diagnosis and treatment is
late, it reduces the likelihood of recovery. Lassa
fever is curable when there is rapid laboratory
testing to confirm the disease, leading to early
commencement of treatment.
To prevent Lassa fever in the community,
Nigerians are advised to keep their food safe from
rats and rat excreta. Critically, Lassa fever
transmission in healthcare settings can be
prevented by strict adherence to universal
precautions. Doctors and nurses are advised to
hold each other accountable to insist on these
precautions.
NCDC urges Nigerians to cooperate with their
respective state governments in this response.
Lassa is endemic in Nigeria, and molecular dating
suggests that Lassa virus has been circulating in
Nigeria for over a thousand years and in some
other West African countries for hundreds of
years. The NCDC will continue to support states
across the country through this dry season. A
Lassa Fever working group has been set-up at
NCDC to ensure no state is left behind. Reports
from states show prepositioned materials have
been critical for states to respond immediately to
cases.;
Prevention of Lassa fever begins with a state of
awareness. This disease is preventable and can be
treated. Improving food and personal hygiene is
key to prevention at household level. A high index
of suspicion and observing Universal safety
precautions is key to prevention at the health
facility level.
The NCDC wants to remind healthcare workers that
they are at a higher risk of contracting Lassa. They
are therefore encouraged to ensure strict infection
prevention and control practices at points of care.
All febrile illnesses must be tested for malaria
before treatment; tests that return negative for
malaria may be Lassa Fever and must flag
suspicion. We encourage frontline health workers
to report all suspected cases of Lassa to their Local
Government Disease Surveillance and Notification
Officers and/or State Epidemiologists.
For further information on how to protect yourself
and family from Lassa Fever contact the NCDC
through the toll-free call centre on 080097000010.
We also receive feedback through our Facebook
and Twitter accounts @NCDCgov.
You can also visit www.ncdc.gov.ng for more
information on how the NCDC is protecting the
health of Nigerians from Lassa fever and other
disease threats.