The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised concerns over the continued impact of Lassa fever in Nigeria, revealing that one in every four infected persons has died from the disease this year.
Speaking in Abuja, the Team Lead for Epidemiology Surveillance in the Division of Global Health Protection at the U.S. CDC’s Global Health Centre, Banji Ipadeola, said the high fatality rate is largely due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
According to him, Lassa fever remains a serious public health threat despite the availability of effective treatment when patients seek medical attention early.
Ipadeola explained that many Nigerians often mistake the disease’s early symptoms, such as fever, headache and body pains, for malaria or typhoid fever, leading to self medication and delays in receiving proper care.
He stressed that prompt testing and treatment significantly improve a patient’s chances of survival, urging individuals experiencing persistent symptoms to visit healthcare facilities without delay.
The epidemiologist noted that Lassa fever is commonly transmitted through contact with food, household items or surfaces contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rodents.
He added that human to human transmission can also occur through contact with the blood, saliva, urine or other bodily fluids of infected persons, placing healthcare workers, caregivers and family members at increased risk.
Ipadeola identified widespread human exposure to rodents as a major factor contributing to the spread of the disease in Nigeria.
He urged communities to maintain clean environments, improve food storage practices and take steps to eliminate rodents from homes and surroundings as part of efforts to reduce transmission.
The health expert reiterated that early detection, timely treatment and improved hygiene remain critical in reducing deaths associated with Lassa fever across the country.
(NAN)
