Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak not contained yet: WHO

NCDC's latest data shows that the number of new confirmed and probable cases has been falling for five consecutive weeks, indicating that public health measures are proving effective, but more infections are expected until the end of the dry season, as the viral haemorrhagic fever is endemic to the area, a WHO statement today said.    

Between January 1 and March 25, 2018, the NCDC reported 394 laboratory confirmed cases. There were 18 new confirmed cases in the last reporting week (March 19-25,  2018), compared to 54 confirmed cases a month earlier (February 19-25, 2018).

"We should interpret the recent declining trend in new cases with caution. The Lassa fever season is not yet over. We need to maintain vigilance and response operations, and ensure continued engagement

with communities to help curb the further spread of Lassa fever," said Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Representative to Nigeria.

The current epidemic is Nigeria's largest on record, with the number of confirmed cases in January and February alone exceeding the total number reported in the whole of 2017.

The case count has not yet fallen to usual endemic levels and the exact cause for the high numbers of infections has not been pinpointed. Research is being conducted in real-time to answer some of these questions.

"We are researching what has led to so many people becoming infected with Lassa fever," said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC. "Even with a downward trend, until we can better understand the causes behind its rapid spread, we must treat the outbreak as a priority."

Whole genome sequencing can reveal information that contributes to the understanding and the control of infectious disease outbreaks.

Researchers at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, in collaboration with the Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine,Germany, WHO, NCDC and others, have conducted genome sequencing ofthe Lassa virus.

The preliminary results suggest that the circulating virus is consistent with previous outbreaks and not caused by a new more virulent strain.

"By conducting research as the Lassa fever outbreak unfolds, Nigeria is a pioneering a new approach. Until now research in Africa has taken place much later in the response cycle. This is a new approach which opens the way to much more effective control ofemerging and dangerous pathogens," said Dr Alemu.

WHO recognises Lassa fever as a priority pathogen which has the potential to cause a public health emergency. The ongoing research will provide crucial insights which will help mitigate future Lassa fever outbreaks.

WHO has been working with NCDC and other partners to control Lassa fever by deploying teams to hotspots, identifying and treating patients, strengthening infection, prevention and control measures in health facilities, and engaging with communities.

WHO has released US$900,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to quickly scale up operations, and is also supporting preparedness and response capacities in neighbouring countries.

WHO is supporting coordination for Nigeria's response to Lassa fever with national health actors, and with partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) including: African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Alliance for international Medical Action (ALIMA), the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine,the Emerging Diseases Clinical Assessment and Response Network(EDCARN), the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakiliki, the Federal Medical Centre Owo, the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, the Public Health Agency of Canada, UNICEF, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of  Maryland.

WHO's response to Lassa fever in Nigeria is funded by the Contingency Fund for Emergencies and the European Commission.