Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Dr Joseph Okoeguale, has revealed that Edo State has recorded 240 positive cases of lassa fever, resulting to 21 deaths between December and March this year.
Dr Okoeguale also disclosed that 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of lassa fever infection annually with over 5000 possible deaths.
Okoeguale made the revelations while delivering a lecture titled, ‘University Community Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research: Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria’ at the first edition of the College of Medical Science Lecture Series organised by the Edo State University, Uzairue, saying lassa fever is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a priority disease for research and development.
Daily Independent reports that the guest lecturer said only 20% of those infected are symptomatic while 80% are asymptomatic and do not seek or present themselves for treatment
Okoeguale, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, also said the only way to bring a stop to the scourge of the disease is by prevention and vaccination.
He said Lassa Fever has continued to cause mortalities in all age groups and in both male and female, undiagnosed and unchallenged, hence, WHO recommended centres of excellence in affected region such as Lassa Fever Centre at Kenema General Hospital, Sierra Leone and the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua, also known as Institute of Viral And Emergent Pathogens Control And Research.
He added that the numbers had increased to five with Federal Medical Center, Owo, FMC Bauchi and FETHA, Abakaliki.
According to him, “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 yearly outbreak of Lassa fever has placed enormous strain on all aspects of the health system in Nigeria and the only way to bring a stop to this scourge of disease is by vaccination and prevention.”
Director of the institute further disclosed that the centre is designing trials that would help in developing new drugs and vaccines for lassa fever.
“We have built and equipped an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing centre and we have also commenced the sequencing not only of the Lassa fever virus, but the Covid-19 and monkey pox virus.
“We have recently received approval by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) to conduct a platform trial for new drugs for Lassa fever.
“We are currently collaborating with the United State Centre for Disease Control, George Town and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship programme for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases.
In his opening address, the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Dawood Egbefo, said the gathering was to address a critical issue that impacted not only the community but also the entire nation.
Lassa Fever, he said, remained a significant public health challenge in Nigeria that affected countless lives and placed a strain on the healthcare system.
He noted the crucial recognition of the vital role that collaboration has played in advancing, understanding and responses by bringing together the strength of academic institutions, healthcare providers and local communities to foster innovative solutions that will enhance diagnostic capabilities and pave way for effective vacuum development.
The acting VC highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration as Lassa Fever research required input from various fields such as biology, medicine, public health, social sciences in order to foster a culture of teamwork that could create a holistic approach to the public health challenge.
