In the past, experts had hypothesized that the dry season is when tropical diseases like Lassa fever spread widely. Right now, it is taking place since the sickness poses a threat to kill a large number of individuals. The number of confirmed Lassa fever cases increased by 77 in January of this year, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), “raising the overall confirmed cases to 105 in 2023.” According to the NCDC, 30 local government units in 10 states have at least one confirmed incidence for the year 2023.
These states: Ondo (33), Edo (25), Ebonyi (6), Bauchi (5), Benue (4), Kogi (1), Imo (1), Oyo (1), and Nasarawa reported the instances . Six documented deaths occurred in that week in January, the bureau added. It was learned that more and more deaths and infections from Lassa fever have been reported nationwide since mid-January. For instance, in the first few weeks of February, Prof. Akoria Obehi, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, reported four further deaths from Lassa virus and noted that the most recent death increased the state’s total to 20.
Lassa fever is always rampant during the dry season.
The killings, in accordance with Prof. Obehi, took place in the state’s local governments of Etsako West, Etako Central, and Owan East. He stated that over more than 13 percent of people have died from Lassa fever in the state than previously. 155 confirmed cases in 11 LGAs make up the total number at this time. Lassa fever infestations have also been present in other states to varying degrees. Frequently, these fatalities go unnoticed or unrecorded.
According to the WHO, “Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria, with an annual peak of cases typically reported during the dry season (December–April).” The global health organization issued a warning, stating that “till the conclusion of the dry season, the number of infections is projected to grow further.” For those in the know, the WHO’s warning is a call to arms against the tiny rodents wreaking havoc in houses and frantically scavenging for food. They must be eliminated right at once because they might be signs of impending death.
Disease is gaining pace and power as it spreads.
It has been discovered that many rural residents get Lassa fever around this time every year when the disease-carrying rats break into their homes or storage facilities in search of food. Such rats have less stuff to consume once the harvest season is gone. Some of them leave in search of food in and around the residences as they move on to brighter pastures. Furthermore, it was discovered that those who dry their food by highways or in prime village locations expose themselves to disease. According to experts, rats eat out of exposed food when they come into contact with it. On occasion, they would even defecate or urinate on the food. They do this in order to leave the deadly Lassa fever virus in their wake.
Now, everyone has been forewarned that the little rats that live in and around their homes could be a threat to their families. Some of them foretell illness and death. They can spread grief and misery despite their small size. Despite how innocent they may look, they wage an unrelenting biological war on humanity with their pee and feces alone, causing immeasurable harm. Lassa fever has been reviving as the dry season begins, gaining speed and power as it spreads. It is a fact that a fever quickly kills. Those who get infected have a slim chance of living. Over the years, health professionals have fallen prey to its influence while working to help others, not realizing they were up against such a powerful adversary until it was too late.
Other ways in Which the disease can be contacted.
Dr. Eze also discussed additional ways that people might catch Lassa fever, saying that these include eating contaminated foods and coming into contact with things or household items that have been exposed to Mastomys rat feces or urine. Mr. Oladayo Ibukun, a medical microbiologist, informed our reporter that overland travelers who purchase meals like garri or exposed, leftover items on the road are also at risk. Individuals also run the risk of contracting Lassa fever, particularly if they purchase foods like garri or elubo (ground cassava or ground yam) from roadside vendors.
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Anxiety as the Lassa fever epidemic continues – Lassa fever is spreading once more and this time it is fast paced. – Express your point of view.
We should be able to check this Lassa fever. It is unfortunate it keeps spreading all over the country. I hope it is stopped earnest. We really need to contain the disease before it goes out of hand. All hands must be on deck , especially the Nigeria Center for Disease control.
The spread of this dreadful Lassa fever disease is as a result of the government negligence towards handling this disease. The pace of spread is fast raising and it most be contained so government and healthcare sector need to raise to this occasion and control the spread of this disease.
The issue of lassar fever has been in existence since ages and notting much has been done concerning or money were budgeted but people incharge took the money without nothing.
When the disease-carrying rats invade rural inhabitants’ homes or storage facilities in quest of food around this time each year, it has been found that many of them develop Lassa fever.
Lassa fever is spreading once more and this time it is fast paced. Government should not neglect the issue of Lassa fever epidemic. All support our health system
We should take lassa fever serious it is spreading fast than expected we need to keep it under control not to spread across the country so people can be protected and create more awareness
As the dry season gets underway, lassa fever has begun reviving. everyone has been informed that the small rodents that reside in and around their homes could be a menace to their families.
It had been postulated by specialists that the dry season is the time of year when tropical diseases such as Lassa fever spread the most.
Because of the risk that the disease may claim the lives of a significant number of people right now, it is currently taking place.
It is important for us to be aware that Lassa fever infestations have also been found, albeit to a lesser extent, in other states.
The warning issued by the WHO is a rallying cry to take action against the tiny rodents that are wrecking havoc in homes and desperately searching for food.
Individuals who contract the infection have a very small probability of surviving it. While attempting to assist other people, some people in the medical field have been unable to avoid falling prey to its sway over the years.
Yeah, it appears that people also incur the risk of developing Lassa fever, especially if they buy foods like garri or elubo from street sellers.
When the dry season starts, there has been a revival of the Lassa fever, which is gaining speed and power as it spreads.
Even though lassa fever has been an issue for centuries, very little has been done to address it, and even when funds were allocated to address it, those in power simply pocketed the cash and did nothing.
The Lassa Fever has been a challenge for a very long time. I’m somehow surprise at it’s resurgences because It is important the gov’t work in hands with assigned team to tackle the spread of the disease
Lasca fever has begun to make a comeback as the dry season has begun. All residents have been warned that the hooved animals they may find within and around their residences pose a potential threat to human health.
Lassa fever has been rapidly spreading due to the government’s indifference to containing it. Governments and the healthcare industry must rise to the challenge and slow the disease’s rapid spread.
Despite lassa fever’s long history, little has been done to combat it, and when money was set aside to do so, those in authority just kept the money for themselves.
The Lassa fever epidemic most be checked as quick as possible because of the mode of spread and contamination. If care is not taken Nigeria will have a situation that can’t be handle when the food like garri and elubo are contaminated which are common food in Nigeria. The medical practitioner, healthcare givers should please swing into action to checkmate the spread.