Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control, and Research at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, revealed on Monday that Edo State registered 240 positive cases of Lassa fever and 21 deaths between December and March 2024.
Okoeguele also showed that 37.7 million individuals in 14 West African countries are in danger of Lassa fever infection each year, with more than 5000 deaths.
Okoeguele revealed this while giving 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.
He stated that Lassa fever was classified by the World Health Organisation as a priority disease for research and development.
He stated that only 20% of individuals afflicted are symptomatic, while the remaining 80% are asymptomatic and do not seek medical attention or present themselves for treatment.
Dr. Okoeguale, an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant, stated that the best way to end the plague is through prevention and vaccines.
He stated that Lassa fever has continued to kill people of all ages, both men and women, and that it remains undiagnosed and unchallenged.
As a result, WHO has recommended centres of excellence in the affected region, such as the Lassa Fever Centre at Kenema General Hospital in Sierra Leone and the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control in Irrua, also known as the Institute of Viral and Emergent Pathogens Control and Research.
The consultant mentioned that the number has been increased to five with Federal Medical Centre, Owo, FMC Bauchi, and FETHA, Abakaliki.
He said, “Lassa fever outbreak has continued to occur yearly with growing incidence and increasing geographical spread affecting children, pregnant and nonpregnant 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.”.
“Edo State recorded 240 positive cases of Lassa fever and 21 deaths between December and March 2024, while 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of Lassa fever infection annually with over 5000 deaths.
The director 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 commenced the sequencing not only of the Lassa fever virus but also of the Covid-19 and Monkey Pox viruses.
“We have recently received approval from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership to conduct a platform trial of new drugs 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 also of the Covid-19 and Monkey Pox viruses.
“We have recently received approval from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership 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 (NCDC) to sustain a clinical fellowship program for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases.”
