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43 years after the first case of Lassa fever was recorded, the country is still grappling with the virus that is transmitted by hairless tailed bush rats that abound in the country. With more than 40 lives already lost and over 400 others infected this year alone, Olaolu Olusina examines the inadequate surveillance system and lacklustre response to the killer virus which is responsible for some 5,000 deaths every year

Nigerians were indeed jolted when the news of a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever was broken by the Federal Ministry of Health about seven weeks ago. Many were further worried at the revelation that the disease, which had spread into 12 states including Edo, Taraba, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Plateau, Nassarawa, Ebonyi, Ondo, Rivers, Anambra and Lagos States, was being transmitted through a species of bush rats.

At the last count, the government disclosed that hospital records showed that over 40 lives had been lost to the disease which had assumed epidemic proportions with over 400 persons already infected. Edo and Taraba topped the list of states with the highest casualty figures while about 50 million Nigerians are believed to be at risk from the disease which is even killing doctors and nurses.

Rapid Response Committee

The federal government officially responded to the outbreak of the disease on February 22, six weeks after it had wreaked havoc in more than 12 states with the inauguration of a 23-member Rapid Response Committee chaired by Professor Sunday Omilabu, a professor of Virology and Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

Charged with the task of preventing and controlling a further outbreak and spread of the virus, the committee, which also has Dr. Henry Akpan of the Federal Ministry of Health as secretary, is expected to submit its full report and recommendations by June.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the aim of the committee was to coordinate federal and state governments as well as development partners' response in controlling further spread of the virus.

He disclosed that the federal government was concerned with the spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria, saying the government had earlier initiated a National Lassa Fever stakeholder's forum in 2007 to advocate for action against the virus.

"Government would continue to support the treatment of all reported Lassa fever cases with prompt preposition of ribavirin drugs and personal protective equipment. This year, 500,000 vials of the ribavirin drugs were procured and distributed to the affected states," he said.

The minister also restated the resolve of the federal government to do everything possible not only to control the Lassa fever epidemic but to put in place a mechanism for its effective prevention.

Originally posted here:
Nigeria: Tackling the Lassa Fever Epidemic