Latest news with #LassaFever
Russia Today
24-07-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
Deadly fever outbreak claims over 150 lives in African country
Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) raised the alarm on Monday over a growing Lassa fever outbreak in the country, confirming at least 800 infections and 151 deaths in the first half of 2025. According to the agency's Week 27 epidemiological report published on X, the national case fatality rate (CFR) has climbed to 18.9%, up from 17.3% during the same period last year. The NCDC reported the number of confirmed cases had risen to 11 across six states – Ondo, Edo, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Lagos, and Enugu – compared to nine the week before. Three additional deaths were recorded. Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of West Africa. The virus was first identified in Nigeria in 1969. It is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or feces. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings with low-quality infection control measures. Lassa fever initially presents with flu-like symptoms, including sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Later, it can lead to facial swelling, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and bleeding from the mouth, nose, and other parts of the body. In 2024, Nigeria experienced a significant Lassa fever outbreak, with a total of 1,309 confirmed cases and 214 deaths, according to a report from Springer. Health experts warn the outbreak has exposed critical weaknesses in Nigeria's public health system. According to DailyPost outlet, Dr. Solomon Chollom, a public health specialist, stressed the need for community-based response measures. 'We can't fight Lassa with hospital efforts alone,' he said. 'The communities must be empowered to understand how this disease spreads, mainly through contact with rodent urine or feces, and what they can do to prevent it.' Speaking to Punch, virologist Dr. Moses Ayorinde echoed those concerns, pointing to under-resourced hospitals in heavily affected states like Ondo, Edo, and Taraba. He cited delayed diagnostics, medicine shortages, and lack of isolation units as major barriers to containment. Last month, the authorities said response efforts were being scaled up, including expanded surveillance, awareness campaigns, and distribution of limited medical supplies to high-risk zones, DailyPost reported.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) convenes strategic communications workshop to fortify regional Lassa fever response and sensitization
The West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), in close collaboration with the Coalition Secretariat Partners (CSP), the ECOWAS Commission, and Member States, successfully concluded a pivotal two-day Strategic Communications Workshop in preparation for the 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference, held in Abuja, Nigeria. from June 30th to July 1st, 2025, the gathering aimed to create political will, advance prevention efforts, enhance preparedness and strengthen a unified regional response to Lassa Fever across West Africa. The workshop's objectives included identifying and analysing communication gaps, fostering mutual understanding of each entity's communication roles and responsibilities, developing a unified communication strategy for the 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference, defining clear communication protocols, and establishing a joint roadmap for sustained regional communications, collaboration, and sensitization. During the workshop, Dr. Virgil Lokossou, Acting Director of Health Services at WAHO, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Dr. Assi Melchor, the Director General of WAHO. He emphasized the importance of putting in place effective communication tools, addressing specific Lassa Fever communication issues, and establishing a more visible regional platform for collaboration and decision-making. Dr. Lokossou stressed the need for increased awareness and prevention of the Lassa Fever threat, aligning strategies with scientific evaluation, and collectively developing a regional plan for the upcoming conference. He urged all participants to commit to this cause, working together to identify and address difficulties for the benefit of the entire region. At the conclusion of the two-day event, Dr. Sombie Issiaka, Acting Director of Public Health and Research at WAHO, provided the closing remarks on behalf of the Director General of WAHO. He expressed sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Watch team for their smooth collaboration in combating Lassa Fever and other emerging diseases, as well as for organizing the workshop. He also extended thanks to all communication experts from participating member states, the Boom Public Health Group, and the Corona Management Systems Group. Dr. Issiaka highlighted the significance of the coalition, emphasizing that all strategies discussed would move into the implementation stage, ensuring all stakeholders are effectively involved through clear communication in the fight against Lassa Fever. He thanked the Nigerian authorities as the host country, colleagues from WAHO and the ECOWAS Commission's communication directorate for their support and collaboration, formally declaring the workshop closed and expressing anticipation for continued joint efforts. The workshop marks a significant step forward in ensuring a coordinated, impactful, and visible response to Lassa Fever across West Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Nigeria: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hands over Lassa fever care in Ebonyi state
After seven years of critical support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), local health authorities in Ebonyi state are now well equipped to take on care for Lassa fever with improved infrastructure and training — saving lives and restoring confidence in the healthcare system. In early 2018, Ebonyi state in southeastern Nigeria faced a serious public health concern. Lassa fever - a potentially deadly viral haemorrhagic neglected tropical disease – recorded a particularly high seasonal outbreak, overwhelming hospitals and claiming numerous lives, notably among healthcare workers who are particularly exposed to infection. 'We lost doctors, nurses, and cleaners,' recalls Dr Nnennaya Anthony Ajayi, then head of clinical services at the virology unit of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching hospital in Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), the state's main referral centre. 'There was panic. In the hospital, 16 healthcare workers passed away. People were afraid to go near the emergency room.' Though the federal and state governments had already made strides—building an isolation ward and setting up a virology lab—AE-FUTHA was not prepared for the outbreak's scale. Personal protective equipment was scarce. Infection control procedures were unclear. Samples had to be sent to distant labs for confirmation. Suspected patients were sometimes kept in open spaces, and the risks for staff were devastating. It's in that context that MSF arrived in Abakaliki to support the response. What began as an emergency intervention soon evolved into a seven-year partnership with the Ebonyi state Ministry of Health, laying the groundwork for sustainable, locally led Lassa fever care. Protect health workers, improve care for patients From the outset, MSF's top priority was clear: stop the loss of healthcare workers. 'We had to put an end to this series of avoidable deaths,' says Alain-Godefroid Ndikundavyi, MSF's most recent project coordinator in Ebonyi. 'Our main objective was to reverse that trend and to reinforce the hospital's capacity to better receive and treat patients with the disease.' MSF's intervention was wide-ranging. We built triage and observation areas, distributed personal protective equipment, implemented robust infection prevention and control systems, and trained local staff to manage Lassa cases safely and effectively. 'They helped us structure patient flow, infection prevention and control, and biosafety measures, and provided what we needed to work safely,' says Dr Ajayi. 'They brought structure, training, and most importantly, hope.' In total, over 230 training sessions for healthcare workers were delivered, and laboratory capacity was strengthened, enabling faster diagnosis. Eventually, a new model of care was put in place to protect staff and better support patients. Between 2018 and 2024, MSF supported the treatment of 1,701 suspected and 427 confirmed Lassa fever cases. MSF also paid the full cost of patient care—including dialysis, medications, and meals—which significantly reduced fatalities. Crucially, deaths among healthcare workers fell dramatically, with years passing without a single death being recorded. Reaching beyond the hospital But MSF understood that stopping Lassa fever required action far beyond hospital walls. The disease thrives in communities where public health awareness is low and early detection is lacking. 'To bridge that gap, we mobilized health promotion teams that conducted over 4,500 education sessions and nearly 1,300 community visits across Ebonyi state,' says Ndikundvyi. 'These efforts demystified the disease, corrected misconceptions, and encouraged early care-seeking behaviour.' MSF also supported two clinics in rural areas—Izzi Unuhu and Onuebonyi—providing training, lab equipment, medical supplies, and even building water towers to ensure safe sanitation. The goal was to catch Lassa fever early and ease the burden on AE-FUTHA. 'We realised that to truly fight Lassa, the response had to start at the community level,' says Ndikundavyi. A new chapter In 2025, MSF formally handed over operations to the Ebonyi state Ministry of Health and AE-FUTHA. This transition was carefully planned and included donations of medical equipment, ambulances, and waste management tools. Enough supplies were provided to last through the next Lassa fever peak season. 'We officially handed over management responsibilities at the end of 2024 but kept an observational team on until March of this year, in case the Ministry needed additional resources,' Ndikundavyi said. MSF also supported the creation of internal committees within AE-FUTHA to maintain standards in infection control, patient care, and outbreak response—ensuring that progress would continue after our departure. More broadly, MSF experts partnered with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and federal authorities, to improve detection, prevention, and medical care guidelines. Today, AE-FUTHA is a different place. Gone are the days of improvised gear and terrified staff. Healthcare workers now operate with confidence, knowledge, and proper equipment. Patients are treated with dignity, and survivors return home with hope. Not as outcasts, but as symbols of resilience. The fight against Lassa fever is not over. In 2024 alone, 24 confirmed cases were recorded in AE-FUTHA, with one death among the hospital staff—still tragic, but a far cry from what happened in 2018, when 16 healthcare workers alone were lost. 'We are no longer afraid,' says Dr Ajayi. 'MSF helped us believe that we could fight Lassa fever—and win.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
HHS halts work at high-risk infectious disease lab following repeated safety violations
FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented a pause on research at one of the nation's most highly secure research labs, following repeated safety incidents that a source familiar told Fox News Digital have been occurring since the Biden administration. An HHS official confirmed the pause at Fort Detrick's Integrated Research Facility, which conducts risky research on deadly infectious diseases like SARS-COV-2 and the Ebola virus, began Tuesday at 5 p.m. The facility, which is one of only a handful across North America, is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and is located at the U.S. Army base Fort Detrick, outside Washington, D.C. The research there studies treatment and prevention of deadly, "high-consequence" diseases such as Lassa Fever and Eastern equine encephalitis. According to the HHS official who was willing to speak on the matter under the condition of anonymity, the pause stemmed from a lover's spat between researchers at the facility, which resulted in one of the individuals poking holes in the other's personal protective equipment (PPE). That individual has since been fired, the official indicated. The HHS official added that the incident is just the latest example of safety incidents at the high-risk laboratory, which they blamed on a poor safety culture at the lab enabled by the previous Biden administration. "NIH and HHS take the safety of our facilities and research very seriously," HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said. "As soon as we found out about this incident, we took immediate action to issue the safety pause until we can correct the safety culture at this facility." The latest incident, according to HHS, was preceded by a separate incident that occurred as recently as November. The facility's director, Connie Schmaljohn, was placed on administrative leave following the incident. The HHS official familiar with the matter indicated Schmaljohn did not report the incident up the chain of command immediately, causing a delay in remedying the matter. During this temporary pause, all research at the facility will come to a halt and access will be limited to essential personnel. It is unclear how long the pause will remain in effect.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Lassa fever: Ebola-like virus found in person who travelled to the UK
A case of Lassa fever, a viral illness that can cause Ebola -like symptoms, has been confirmed in a person who recently travelled to England from Nigeria, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced. The individual travelled while experiencing symptoms and was subsequently diagnosed after returning to Nigeria. UKHSA is now working to trace and contact individuals who may have been in contact with the infected person during their time in England. What is Lassa Fever? Lassa fever does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the public is regarded as 'very low'. The virus, which is endemic in parts of West Africa, particularly Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, is carried by a particular type of rodent, called the Mastomys rodent. The most common way people catch the virus in these countries is through eating contaminated food or breathing in the virus. Some people can also be infected from the droppings of infected rodents, such as on floors, surfaces, or in food or water. Some people eat Mastomys, and they may catch Lassa virus this way. While the virus does not spread easily between people, it can be transferred through blood, saliva, urine or semen. Most people who get Lassa fever have mild symptoms such as fever, feeling weak, headache and sore throat, and recover. More serious symptoms include bleeding, difficulty breathing, vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back and stomach. Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at UKHSA, said: 'Our health protection teams are working at pace to get in touch with people who were in contact with this individual while they were in England, to ensure they seek appropriate medical care and testing should they develop any symptoms. 'The infection does not spread easily between people, and the overall risk to the UK population is very low.' Symptoms usually occur between one and three weeks after having contact with Lassa virus.
