The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has confirmed that 152 people have died as a result of the Lassa fever outbreak in 2022.
The centre stated this in its most recent Lassa fever situation report, which The PUNCH received on Tuesday.
Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral infection spread by the mastomys rat species, which is native to Nigeria and some other West African countries, according to the PUNCH.
The number of recurring cases has increased since the disease's last epidemic in 2016, according to the NCDC.
During the peak of the pandemic, 796 cases were reported in 2019, and 1,165 cases were confirmed in 2020, according to the centre.
In 2021, the NCDC confirmed a total of 4,632 probable cases.
"So far in 2022, 152 people have died; the largest number of deaths in four years," the centre claimed.
"A total of 152 deaths have been documented from week 1 to week 18 in 2022, with a case fatality rate of 19.6 percent."
"At least one confirmed case has been reported in 23 states across 95 local government districts for the year 2022." The states of Ondo (28%) Edo (25%) and Bauchi (68%) account for the majority of confirmed cases (15 percent ).
"The age group 21-30 is the most affected" (range:1 to 80 years, median age: 30 years). In comparison to the same period in 2021, the number of suspected cases has increased."
While 51 health workers have been affected, 723 people have been admitted to hospitals, according to the NCDC.
"A Lassa fever environmental response campaign is also being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Environment in high-burden states," it continued.
"At first, Lassa fever looks like any other feverish sickness, such as malaria. Fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body areas are some of the symptoms.
"The interval between infection and the onset of illness symptoms is three to twenty-one days." Early detection and treatment improve the odds of survival."
Dr. Ayanfe Omololu, an infectious diseases physician at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and a member of the Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society, spoke to The PUNCH on the importance of practising proper hand hygiene and maintaining a clean atmosphere.
"If someone has an inexplicable fever or bleeding, they should avoid self-medication, drink plenty of fluids, and come to a hospital for evaluation," Omololu advised. Treatment with effective drugs is possible, especially if patients arrive early.
"Practicing proper hand hygiene at all times – before and after using the bathroom, before and after cooking, after being in public places, after working with animals, and at other times – can help avoid Lassa fever infection."
"It's also necessary to preserve a clean environment at all times, dispose of garbage properly, rat-proof our homes, keep our foodstuffs in closed containers, and find a technique to eliminate rats from your homes; potentially keep cats."
For the time being, avoid bush meat and, if at all possible, reduce or prevent bush burning. These steps should lower your chances of contracting the condition.