TIG Post

Tag: lassa fever

  • Ghana declared Lassa fever free

    Ghana declared Lassa fever free

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported that Ghana is no longer battling the Lassa fever outbreak.

    This comes after the maximum follow-up period of 42 days elapsed since the last case of Lassa fever was discharged.

    Ghana declared an outbreak of Lassa fever following the confirmation of two cases in the Greater Accra Region on February 24, 2023.

    Twenty-five additional cases were recorded between February 24 and March 1, 2023, which brought the total cases to 27.

    Unfortunately, one of the victims passed away.

    All of the identified contacts including healthcare workers were self-quarantined.

    All the confirmed cases were managed by the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre.

    A total of 237 contacts were identified and follower up for the maximum incubation period of 21 days.

    Also, active surveillance resulted in the identification of 30 suspected cases of which two were Lassa fever.

    According to the GHS, the last victim of Lassa fever was discharged on March 10, 2023, indicating the end of the outbreak.

    Meanwhile, the Service is urging the public to avoid contact with wildlife, especially rats to reduce the risk of disease spread.

    Also, the public is entreated to store left over foods appropriately, improve cleanliness in homes, undertake regular hand washing after visiting patients in health facilities, after using the toilet among others.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • GHS records 12 additional cases of Lassa Fever

    GHS records 12 additional cases of Lassa Fever

    Twelve more Lassa fever cases have been confirmed in the country by the Ghana Health Service.

    This comes after the first two cases, which were reported in Accra on February 26.

    Following the implementation of control measures, including as contact tracing tests of all individuals who had been in close contact with the original two confirmed cases, the 12 additional cases were found.

    The total number of confirmed patients for this epidemic now stands at 14. Thus far, one death has been reported.

    According to the GHS, “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.”

    Meanwhile, “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.”

    The GHS took the opportunity to remind the public to follow preventive measures in order to avoid falling victim to the virus.

    These include:

    1. Avoid contact with rodents (mice, rats, etc).

    2. Ensure good environmental hygiene and institute measures such as storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats to prevent rodent infestation.

    3. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

    “The Ghana Health Service wishes to remind the public of the need to report to the nearest health facility when unwell. We want to assure the public that, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure the safety of the entire population,” it concluded.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Nigeria records 176 deaths from Lassa fever outbreak

    Amidst the burden from COVID-19, Nigeria has recorded three new deaths from Lassa fever, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 176 since the outbreak in January.

    This was contained in the latest Lassa fever situation report published last night by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The report shows that within the last one week, 28 new cases have been recorded while the total confirmed cases in the country are 932 since the last 12 weeks.

    Of the 28 new confirmed cases since the past one week, Edo and Ondo states had the highest with eight and five cases respectively.

    For the week under review, no healthcare worker was affected.

    The distribution of cases across the country also shows that only 10 states have so far not been affected by the outbreak since January.

    The states are Zamfara, Niger, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Kwara, Cross Rivers and Imo and Yobe.

    “Of the 932 recorded cases since January, patients currently being managed in the country are 48.”

    The report also showed that since the past five years, the burden of the outbreak is highest this year.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Nigeria: University shut down as two students die from lassa fever

    The management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has issued a two-week break following the death of two students of the institution.

    A 200-level lassa fever, Temitope Patience, died of Lassa fever on Thursday while Olakunle Matthew of the department of Biochemistry was shot dead by suspected cultists on Friday.

    According to the Acting Registrar of the institution, Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, the loss of the two students dealt a heavy blow on the school management.

    In the condolence statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, the registrar narrated events that led to the demise of the two students.

    “On admission of Miss Temitope Patience AYEDUN, a 200 Level of the Department of Educational Management, at the University Health Centre, the Medical Personnel tried their best to manage her until she was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo where she was intensively managed before she died on Thursday, 5th March, 2020.”

    “The news of the death of Mr. Olakunle Matthew OLAYINKA, a 300-Level student of the Department of Biochemistry, following wounds from gunshot by unidentified gunmen, was received last night, Friday, 6th March, 2020, after the Medical personnel at the University Health Centre put up spirited efforts to stabilise him. The Security agents are still on the trail of the assailants for apprehension.”

    It was also stated that the university management, under the leadership of the Acting Vice Chancellor, Olugbenga Ige, commiserated with the families of the deceased, the entire students and the university community on the sad events and prayed the Lord console the families and the entire university community.

    She, however, assured that the university management has beefed up security within and outside the campus to forestall recurrence.

    The official also announced the postponement of some examinations to mourn the loss of the students.

    “Mourning the painful loss of these our students, the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga E. Ige, on behalf of the University Senate has, therefore, directed that the First Semester University-wide GST and ENT CBT examinations for 2019/2020 academic session earlier scheduled for Monday, 9th March, 2020 to Thursday, 12th March, 2020 be postponed till further notice.”

    However, in a separate memo obtained on Sunday evening, the university’s Senate approved a two-week Mid-Semester Break for all students with immediate effect.

    This, according to the registrar, is to enable the students refresh and prepare well for the First Semester Examinations for 2019/2020 academic session on resumption.

    Source: allafrica.com