BusinessDay 30 Mar 2018

18 BUSINESS DAY C002D5556
Friday 30 March 2018
Lassa fever: Nigeria records 95 deaths in thre
… WHO, NCDC confirm decline in number of reported cases, deaths
ANTHONIA OBOKOH
Lassa fever has claimed
95 lives in Nigeria with
a total of 394 confirmed
reported cases across 19 states
within three months, in a press
statement released by the Nigeria
Centre for Disease Control
(NCDC)
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.
According to the agency,
since the onset of the 2018
outbreak, 95 people have died
in positive-confirmed cases,
while 30 others have also died
despite being negative, with
9 probable cases still pending.
The Case Fatality Rate in
confirmed and probable cases
is 24.1%.
However, the spread of
Lassa fever in Nigeria is beginning
to slow but the epidemic is
far from contained, the World
Health Organisation and the
Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC) have warned.
“Between 1 January and 25
March 2018, the NCDC reported
394 laboratory confirmed
cases. There were 18 new confirmed
cases in the last reporting
week (19-25 March 2018),
compared to 54 confirmed
cases a month earlier (19-25
February 2018)” say the report.
Wondimagegnehu Alemu,
WHO Representative to Nigeria
said, “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 Alemu.
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.
“By conducting research
as the Lassa fever outbreak
unfolds, Nigeria is 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
of emerging and dangerous
pathogens,” said Alemu.
“We are researching what
has led to so many people
becoming infected with Lassa
fever,” said 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
‘Healthy Diet, prevents eye problems’
information that contributes to the
understanding and the control of infectious
disease outbreaks.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic
illness, transmitted to humans
through contact with food or
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
Diet has been described a
key component to protect
our eyes from untimely
damage. Thus, people
are encouraged to watch their
diet and embrace high friendly
foods. Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim,
founder, MAI foundation stated
this while briefing newsmen
shortly after the completion of
the foundation’s Free Medical
Outreach in Kwara State.
Over five thousand Kwarans
have benefited from Muhammed
Ajia Ibrahim (MAI)
Foundation on free eye screening,
treatment and provision of
eye glasses.
The medical exercise which
cut across the three senatorial
districts of the state, within five
days started at Ajia Compound
in Ilorin, the state capital, covered
Offa, Moro, Afon, Share,
Baba nloma, Shonga, Isanlu Isin,
and others.
Speaking on the essence of
the initiative, Ajia Ibrahim, the
founder said it was borne out
of concern for the people at the
grassroots who cannot afford to
treat their eye problems.
“My foundation is borne out
of concern for our people suffering
and do not have means of
solving their problems. We have
rolled out series of pragrammes
to begin in due course. So, part
of it is the health outreach we
embarked on to help Kwarans
protect their eyes.
“The eyes are essential organs
in the body and a lot of people
are having problems with their
eyes and they cannot afford
the expenses, our programme
therefore is aimed at giving the
less privileged the opportunity
to know the status of their eyes,
giving them easy consultation,
and they also get treatment
immediately to deter further
problems ,”he said.
“I know a lot of people have
problems and they do not know
who to talk to so they can be cared
for. We are targeting 5000 Kwarans to
benefit from this programme and from
here, we will move to Offa, and we will
continue to go round through three
Senatorial districts to reach the common
people.
“Out of my passion, I contacted the
consultants from Irawo Optical from
Ibadan Oyo State which is internationally
affiliated to give support so as to
save the people’s vision.”
Ibrahim, who expressed satisfaction
with the turnout of people, disclosed
that, “the turnout of people really
encouraged and motivated me, by the
grace of God, if I get better opportunities
in life, I will establish a free eye
hospital for Kwara state.”
He however, revealed that the third
phase which was targeted at 10, 000
people will commence in a week, just
as he promised to continue to render
service to humanity and enjoined well
meaning Nigerians to help the needy.
Some of the beneficiaries who
spoke to BusinessDay commended
the initiator and appreciated him for
the kind gesture. The exercise was well
attended by the children, elderly and
middle aged.