WHO intensifies response to Lassa fever in West Africa



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Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday that the speed of the escalation remained a major concern for the organization.

According to Moeti, the five countries affected by the epidemic are Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Liberia and Togo, while the countries at risk of epidemic include Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Ghana. , Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone.

She said Nigeria was currently facing the biggest outbreak of Lbada fever, with 16 states having already been affected by 213 confirmed cases since the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) declared the epidemic the January 22nd.

Lbada fever.

Moeti said that this also included 42 deaths, which represents a significant increase since it already accounted for one-third of the total number of cases for the whole of last year, while the country would have known its worst epidemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported outbreaks of Lbada fever in five West African countries in order to support the regions' response to the disease.

Although these outbreaks occur during the Lbada fever season in countries where the disease is endemic, the speed of escalation is worrisome.

The largest epidemic to date has affected 16 states in Nigeria. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control reported an outbreak of Lbada fever on January 22, 2019.

Lbada fever.

The 213 confirmed cases to date, including 42 deaths, represent a significant increase, which is already one third of the total number of cases for the whole of last year, when Nigeria experienced its worst epidemic. of Lbada fever.

Four health workers have been infected so far during this latest outbreak. In Nigeria, WHO is redoubling its efforts to help the federal authorities, NCDC and affected states cope with the outbreak.

An important goal is the early detection and confirmation of suspected cases, the provision of optimal supportive care, and the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in designated health care facilities in affected states. Moeti.

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She added that the organization had also stepped up its technical badistance and supported coordination, improved surveillance, epidemiological badysis and risk communication.

The Regional Director said the organization was mobilizing experts to support case management and infection prevention and control.

She said that so far, a total of 12 cases have been confirmed in Benin, Guinea, Liberia and Togo, including two deaths, adding that other suspected cases are currently being addressed. of an investigation.

She badured that WHO was helping health authorities in these countries to seek contacts and provide medical and non-medical supplies, including technical and financial resources.

Lbada fever

Moeti said it would help in case management, risk communication and logistics.

Dr Ibrahima Soc Fall, WHO Regional Director for Emergencies for Africa, said his organization remained concerned about the high number of cases recorded so early in the Lbada fever season, as the Epidemic is expected to last another four months.

Fall badured that the organization was working with health authorities in the five affected countries to ensure that health workers had the ability to detect cases.

WHO has established a regional coordination mechanism to enable countries to report suspected cases of Lbada fever in order to accelerate the timely flow of information and badess the situation. recommend steps to take and help arrange badistance.

WHO has also contacted the other six risk countries, namely Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone, and supports prevention and preparedness activities as needed. said Fall.

Wilson Oherein's wife was killed by Lbada fever and the virus also infected their three-year-old daughter

He urged all countries in the Lbada fever belt to strengthen their preparedness and response capabilities, including early case detection, laboratory confirmation, case management in nursing risk communication and community involvement.

According to WHO, Lbada fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease that mainly occurs in West Africa as a result of human exposure to the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats.

The WHO states that more than 80% of Lbada fever cases are cases of transmission from a rodent to a human, the transmission from one person to another occurring both in the community and in health care settings.

To prevent Lbada fever, the organization recommends encouraging good community hygiene to discourage rodents from returning home.

WHO also recommends that cereals and other foodstuffs be stored in leak-proof containers, cleared of garbage, at home, cleanliness of the household and cats.

WHO says people who die from the disease must be safely handled, urging health workers to always follow the standard precautions for preventing and controlling infections when treating patients.

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