Onyebuchi Augustine Okoro1, Eniola Bamgboye2, Chioma Dan-Nwafor3, Chukwuma Umeokonkwo4, Elsie Ilori3, Rimamdeyati Yashe3, Muhammad Balogun5, Patrick Nguku5, Chikwe Ihekweazu3. 1. Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 3. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria. 4. Department of Community Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. 5. African Field Epidemiology Network, Nigeria Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic zoonotic disease is endemic in some parts of Nigeria. The disease alert and outbreak threshold are known; however, there has been a shift from the previous seasonal transmission pattern to an all year-round transmission. We described data on Lassa fever and highlighted the magnitude of the disease over a six-year period. METHODS: we conducted a secondary data analyses of Lassa fever specific surveillance data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) records of all states in Nigeria over a six-year period (2012-2017). RESULTS: a total of 5974 suspected cases were reported within the study period; of these, 759 (12.7%) were confirmed by laboratory diagnosis. Highest number of cases was recorded in 2012. Edo and Ondo states in the southern region of the country were mostly affected within the study period. The seasonal trend of Lassa fever cases showed peaks within January to March, except for year 2015. CONCLUSION: there was a high burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria especially in the southern part. Lassa fever transmission occurs all year-round with peaks in January and March. There is need to develop preparedness plans and define thresholds for Lassa fever epidemic. Copyright: Onyebuchi Augustine Okoro et al.
INTRODUCTION: Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic zoonotic disease is endemic in some parts of Nigeria. The disease alert and outbreak threshold are known; however, there has been a shift from the previous seasonal transmission pattern to an all year-round transmission. We described data on Lassa fever and highlighted the magnitude of the disease over a six-year period. METHODS: we conducted a secondary data analyses of Lassa fever specific surveillance data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) records of all states in Nigeria over a six-year period (2012-2017). RESULTS: a total of 5974 suspected cases were reported within the study period; of these, 759 (12.7%) were confirmed by laboratory diagnosis. Highest number of cases was recorded in 2012. Edo and Ondo states in the southern region of the country were mostly affected within the study period. The seasonal trend of Lassa fever cases showed peaks within January to March, except for year 2015. CONCLUSION: there was a high burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria especially in the southern part. Lassa fever transmission occurs all year-round with peaks in January and March. There is need to develop preparedness plans and define thresholds for Lassa fever epidemic. Copyright: Onyebuchi Augustine Okoro et al.
Authors: D G Bausch; A H Demby; M Coulibaly; J Kanu; A Goba; A Bah; N Condé; H L Wurtzel; K F Cavallaro; E Lloyd; F B Baldet; S D Cissé; D Fofona; I K Savané; R T Tolno; B Mahy; K D Wagoner; T G Ksiazek; C J Peters; P E Rollin Journal: Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis Date: 2001 Impact factor: 2.133
Authors: D E Agbonlahor; A Erah; I M Agba; F E Oviasogie; A F Ehiaghe; M Wankasi; O A Eremwanarue; I J Ehiaghe; E C Ogbu; R I Iyen; S Abbey; M Y Tatfeng; J Uhunmwangho Journal: J Vector Borne Dis Date: 2017 Apr-Jun Impact factor: 1.688
Authors: Nnennaya A Ajayi; Chinedu G Nwigwe; Ben N Azuogu; Benson N Onyire; Elizabeth U Nwonwu; Lawrence U Ogbonnaya; Francis I Onwe; Tobin Ekaete; Stephan Günther; Kingsley N Ukwaja Journal: Int J Infect Dis Date: 2013-07-17 Impact factor: 3.623