Edo records 240 cases of Lassa fever, 21 deaths in four months – Official

“This is a Lassa fever endemic community.”

Joseph Okoeguale, a medical doctor and director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, said Edo recorded 240 cases of Lassa fever and 21 deaths between last December and March this year.

Mr Okoeguale stated this during the first edition of the College of Medical Science’s Lecture Series organised by the Edo State University, Uzairue, on Monday.

Mr Okoeguale delivered a lecture titled: University Community Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research: Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria.

He said that WHO had classified Lassa fever as a priority disease for research and development.

“In 2024, between December and the end of March, we recorded 240 positive cases with more than 21 people dying, which is quite large.

“We also recorded a high number of cases in 2023 with more than 40 per cent of cases from Edo State coming from Etsako communities,” Mr Okoeguale said.

How to stop Lassa fever scourge

Mr Okoeguale, a consultant gynaecologist, said the only way to stop the scourge of the disease was through prevention and vaccines.

“Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both males and females.

“For many decades, Lassa fever has continued to cause mortalities, undiagnosed and unchallenged.

“Lassa fever outbreak has continued to occur yearly with growing incidence and increasing geographical spread affecting children, pregnant and non-pregnant adults in Nigeria.

“The annual outbreak of Lassa fever has placed enormous strain on all aspects of the health system in Nigeria. The response to an outbreak must focus on limiting mortality and reducing the spread of disease.

“This is a Lassa fever endemic community. The only way to bring a stop to this scourge of disease is by prevention. For epidemic prevention, the only tool is to vaccinate,” Mr Okoeguale said.

The director pointed out that the centre was designing trials that would help develop new drugs and a vaccine for Lassa fever.

“We have built and equipped an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing centre, and we commenced the sequencing not only of the Lassa fever virus but the COVID-19 and monkeypox virus.

“We have recently received approval from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) to conduct a platform trial of new drugs for Lassa fever.

“We are currently collaborating with the United States Centre of Disease Control, George Town and the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship programme for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases.

“This is to help reduce the mortality and morbidity of Lassa fever in the country and the West Africa sub-region,” he said.

Urgent need for collaborative efforts

In his opening remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Edo State University, Dawood Egbefo, said Lassa fever remained a significant public health challenge in the country.

According to Mr Egbefo, a professor, the disease affects countless lives and places a strain on healthcare systems.

He said the lecture served as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and partnership to build a robust framework for ongoing research, innovation and intervention that would address Lassa fever and other emerging health threats.

“We can foster innovative solutions that will enhance our diagnostic capabilities and pave the way for effective vaccine development,” Mr Egbefo said.

Earlier, the Acting Provost of the College of Medical Sciences of the institution, Kenneth Atoe, said the lecture became imperative to stimulate research and innovation in Lassa fever diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

“As we are aware, our host community is unfortunately situated within a Lassa fever endemic zone.

“This harsh reality underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat Lassa fever and other infectious diseases,” Mr Atoe said.

(NAN)