Politics
Lassa Fever: One Outbreak Too Many
Lassa fever, otherwise called
Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF), a deadly disease was first diagnosed in 1969 in the town of Lassa in Borno State, Nigeria. Since that discovery, the disease has spread to other West African states such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Central African Republic. Medical experts argue that the re-emergence of this outbreak appears to be spreading faster than the previous ones, and have advised that more effective surveillance and preventive measures should be taken to curb this deadly disease.
Cause
The Lassa virus is a zoonotic disease. It is transmitted from animals and spreads to humans from rodents which are the primary host of the Lassa virus, especially Natal Multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis), an animal found in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa popularly known as Rats (i.e animals with a very long mouth and long tail in this part of region).
Lassa Fever or Lassa Hemmorrhagic Fever is a member of Arenaviridae virus family which is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever. The virus is very hard to distinguish from other viral diseases caused by the Lassa virus, especially the Marburg and Ebola as well as such other more common febrile viruses that trigger malaria.
It usually infects people in West Africa, and is estimated to have resulted in 300,000 to 500,000 cases annually over the last few years. In fact, it has caused the death of about 5,000 persons each year. The fever accounts for up to one third of deaths in hospitals within the affected region.
Despite the disease outbreak, rat meat still remains an important source of protein and one of the most enjoyed delicacy by some people in Africa, particularly Nigeria. Yet, it is the carrier of the deadly disease called Lassa fever.
An important message for those that prepare rat meat delicacy, is that there is the need for them to know that infection takes place during the process of finding and preparing the rat for consumption. Experts say that the virus that causes the disease is excreted in urine and could stay for 3-9 weeks or in semen for three months.
This deadly disease has since 1969 been a cause of major deaths in Nigeria. In April, 2012, it caused the death of over 70 persons officially recorded from 19 out of the 36 states in the country. In 2014, the disease claimed 20 lives across the country. Now, the disease has re-emerged, claiming many more lives, and sending others to hospital beds.
With the present outbreak in Nigeria, citizens have been advised to ensure a high level of personal hygiene to avoid being infected by the virus. This means that the people must keep food stocks and environment clean as well as report as soon as possible any symptoms to the nearest healthcare centre or medical facility for early intervention and treatment.
As at the last count, the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed the death of 41 people out of 93 reported cases of Lassa fever outbreak in 10 out of the 36 states in the country. According to the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, the deaths were recorded in Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Gombe states.
He said the ministry had ordered for the immediate release of adequate quantities of ‘ribavirin,’ the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, to the affected states for immediate treatment of patients. He also directed health facilities in the country to emphasise routine infection prevention and control measures, and ensure that all Lassa fever patients are treated free.
The minister, who said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the outbreak of the Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF), also advised citizens to improve on their personal hygiene, which he said includes food hygiene and food protection practices. He further advised people to avoid contact with rodents and rats as well as food contaminated with rat’s urine and excreta by covering all food while avoiding drying food in open spaces and along roadsides.
The Director, National Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi, has also confirmed the death of 41 persons, saying that results of tests on some other cases are still being awaited. He described the fatality rate as high, nothing that the deaths so far were largely because the infected persons did not report early to the nearest healthcare centres for treatment. According to Nasidi, “We are still reviewing the preliminary reports. We have sent teams to Taraba State. We are already working on all the samples collected. We even sent some drugs already,” and described the situation as “really terrible.”
Already, the Federal Government has set up a four-man expert committee, headed by Prof Michael Asuzu to visit the most endemic states, such as Kano, Niger and Bauchi. “The committee will embark on a fact-finding mission, assess the current situation, document response experiences, identify gaps and proffer recommendations on how to prevent future occurrences”, the Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, said. He assured that the committee was not to apportion blame but rather to document lessons learnt for better planning of an effective response, explaining that part of the long-term response is to establish an inter-ministerial committee to deliver a final blow on Lassa fever and other related diseases in the country.
Even as the Ministry of Health is working hard to contain the spread of the disease, and prevent further infections, the Senate yesterday, summoned the minister to appear before it to explain further what the government was doing to curb the epidemic, and save Nigeria from the Lassa fever shame.
Here in Rivers State, the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Briggs Furo, has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever, corroborating the statement by the state Commissioner for Health, Theophilus Ndagme that two persons have died as a result of the infection of Lassa virus in Rivers State.
Following that confirmation, the state Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called on residents of the state to maintain a high level of hygiene to check new cases and spread of the disease in the state. She charged the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communications, to embark on sensitization and enlightenment programmes to ensure that residents of the state are better prepared to battle the spread of the disease.
Indeed, there is no reason why residents of the state should not key into the appeal of the Chief Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government to exhibit high level of hygiene habits and be cautious of what they eat to avoid being caught in the web of the Lassa fever net. This same appeal goes to all Nigerians, especially those in states where some persons have already died as a result of the epidemic. Every Nigerian must exercise high level of caution in this matter.
Mode of Transmission
A fact sheet of the World Health Organisation (WHO), also says that: “Person-to-person transmission occurs through direct contact with the sick person. Laboratory transmission occurs as well, particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.” This “Person-to-Person transmission occurs in both community and healthcare settings, where the virus may be spread by exposure to infected rodents, or contaminated medical equipment such as re-used needles. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been also reported.”
What Are Its Signs and Symptoms
According to WHO, “The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from six to 21 days before an acute illness with multi-organ involvement can develop. The onset of the disease, when it is symptomatic, is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise. After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow.
“In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract which include Nausea, Vomiting (bloody), Diarrhea (bloody), stomach ache, constipation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), hepatitis. Others are cardiovascular system which includes pericarditis, hypertension and tachycardic (abnormally high heartnrate). It also includes Respiratory tract which manifests in cough, chest pain, dysphoea, phyryngitis, and pleufitis. Within the same period, low blood pressure may develop. Low protein may also be noted in the urine.
Another is the Nervous system, which includes Encephalitis, meningitis, unilateral or bilateral hearing deficit shocks, seizures, tremor, disorientation, and coma. This may be seen in the later stages. Deafness occurs in 25 per cent of patients who survive the disease. In half of these cases, hearing returns partially after 1 to 3 months. Transient hair loss and gait disturbance may occur during recovery.
“Death usually occurs within 14 days of onset in fatal cases. Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomy rats. Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever.”
Research shows that there is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread between humans. It also reveals patients infected have shown some symptoms similar to those of malaria.
WHO admits that the overall case fatality rate stands at 1 per cent. It insists that the observed case-fatality rate among patients hospitalized with severe cases is 15 per cent, and argues that early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves chances of survival.
Major challenges
Emerging and re-emerging epidemic diseases such as this pose an on-going threat to global health security. The major challenges are the on-going security risks in the country, limiting access to some areas as well as the jeopardizing availability of resources to respond to the escalating outbreak.
WHO does not advise or recommend any restrictions on travel to Nigeria, and it is expected that no state government should. Travelers returning from affected areas who develop the symptoms of fever should seek medical advice. That is the right way to go to check the spread.
Prevention
The government, its partners and other stakeholders should ensure that they work tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end.
It is already established that those at greatest risk are persons living in rural areas and slums where mastomys are found. There is no injection or vaccine to prevent Lassa fever, but the Federal Government has already distributed drugs to states to help curb the spread and impact of the disease. Therefore, we must prevent its spread by non-contact with rats. We must ensure that we avoid the faeces and urine of animals accessing grain stores in residences or market places where grains are stored. Given its high incidence rate, Lassa fever is a major problem in affected countries. Avoid exposure to infectious materials.
It is important to advise that we maintain an effective personal hygiene by ensuring that gloves, masks, laboratory coats and goggles worn while in contact with an infected person. The various Departments of Public Health personnel must ensure that there is proper monitoring and sensitization campaign programme, so as to effectively control the outbreak of this deadly disease.
All borders of states in Nigeria should activate their surveillance mechanisms, so that anybody with fever, severe headache, swallows and breathing difficulty should be treated with dispatch. And in all cases, Nigerians are encouraged to access recommended drugs for early treatment, if symptoms are noticed. At this time in Nigeria’s history, Lassa fever should not be an issue of national concern. Nigeria is supposed to have outgrown this pandemic by now!
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Politics
Senegal: Faye Set To Become Youngest Elected African President As Rival Concedes Defeat
Senegalese politician, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, (44), is set to become the youngest elected leader on the African continent.
While Faye’s main rival, Amadou Ba, from the ruling coalition had said a run-off might happen to determine the winner, at least five of the 19 candidates in the race had issued statements to congratulate Faye as of early Monday.
“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” Ba, a former Senegalese Prime Minister, had said.
But as Faye’s lead got wider, Ba called to concede victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, BBC quoted a government official to have said.
Faye’s lead had spurred his followers to troop out in celebration on the streets of the capital, Dakar, on Sunday.
Reports revealed that millions took part in a peaceful day of voting to elect Senegal’s fifth president after three years of unprecedented political turbulence that triggered violent anti-government protests and bolstered support for the opposition.
Faye is a Senegalese politician and a former tax inspector, who also served as the General Secretary of dissolved PASTEF.
He contested the highest political position in the West African country in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
Senegalese voters had a choice among 19 contenders to replace Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of opposition leader Sonko.
The incumbent was not on the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history. His ruling coalition picked Ba, 62, as its candidate.
In a country of over 18 million people, 7.3 million people were registered to vote, and about 71 percent voter turnout was recorded, Senegal’s State TV reported.
Politics
Writing Judgment For Presidential Election Tribunal Allegation, FG Arraigns One
The Federal Government has arraigned one Chike Ibezim for allegedly defaming Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Works and Housing.
Ibezim is one of three individuals who alleged that Fashola had written the judgments of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) that dismissed the petitions by the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibezim was arraigned on Monday before a federal high court in Abuja on a six-count charge.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/434/2023, borders on criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, and defamation, among others.
The matter is before Bolaji Olajuwon and has been adjourned till April 15 for continuation of trial.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit an illegal Act to wit: criminal conspiracy; when you jointly agreed to publish a defamatory statement of false allegations in your online social media, the reportera.ng news, against His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber-crime Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.”
However, Fashola said the allegation was “baseless and defamatory”.
The former minister described those behind the allegations as “agents of destabilisation”.
Politics
Soludo’s Performance Assessment, APGA Tackles LP Chieftain
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has faulted a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Valentine Ozigbo, over his comments that the performance of Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, after two years in office, was “not impressive.”
Mr Ozigbo, who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, now a chieftain of the LP, stated during an interactive session with journalists last weekend that he was not impressed about Governor Soludo’s performance and has therefore decided to contest the 2025 governorship election in the state.
He said, “We have seen the leadership of Soludo in two years, and some of you may be impressed, but I am not. After the last election in 2021, I called and wished him well and moved on, and we have never spoken again. My decision was to assess him after two years, and having seen it, I am not impressed, and I want to start holding him accountable.
“I am here to share my thoughts with you, what I think, and no matter how you see what he (Soludo) is doing, you will be more proud when I mount the saddle.
“We need to change the narrative and look for a way to survive. We must fight to rescue Anambra. I am a non-transactional politician. I have several things I can do, but my worry is how we can recover the state and put her on the path of development.
“Zoning is a good thing. But it must be combined with competence to make sense. Don’t pick a renegade just because he is from a certain zone, and don’t pick the best, when you know you can pick one that is better.”
Mr Ozigbo said further, “I respect zoning, and I will be making a case for a single term of four years. Anyone who sees what Alex Otti is doing in Abia State will know that four years is enough time to do a lot of work.
“I will honour that principle of zoning, and I will not need anyone’s push or prompting to do otherwise. I will be ready to do an agreement and do an undertaking that I will do just one term. I also wish to tell you that Peter Obi has been consistent that a southerner who emerges will only do one term.
“It is a settled matter that I intend to run for just one term. I intend to keep faith with the agreement.”
But reacting to the development in a telephone interview with The Tide’s source on Monday, APGA spokesman, Tony Olisa-Mbeki, dismissed Mr Ozigbo’s utterances, insisting he has nothing to offer the people of the state.
Mr Olisa-Mbeki said, “He is a political stooge. What could he possibly bring in? Last I checked, he only managed Transcorp Hotel. Is that a qualification to be a governor in Anambra State? Soludo runs an inclusive government in Anambra; that is why he holds town hall meetings with different sectors. What other approach to governance is Ozigbo talking about?
“Anambra State governance is not for learners like Ozigbo. Ozigbo can’t even give a good lecture; he would be better suited working as a PA to any governor. Ozigbo’s aspirations in the previous gubernatorial contest in Anambra found him trailing in third place under the banner of the PDP, despite the staunch endorsement from former APGA governor, Peter Obi.
“That alone should tell him that APGA is like an apostle’s creed to Ndi Anambra. However, what reforms could Ozigbo propose? Anambra State, under Governor Soludo’s leadership, is a testament to political and socio-economic ingenuity.”
-
Politics4 days ago
Impeachment: Edo CJ Raises Panel To Investigate Allegations Against Dep Gov
-
News4 days ago
Federal Lawmakers Kick Against Extension Of Rivers LG Chairmen’s Tenure
-
News2 days ago
Police Prosecute 29,052 Cases, Secure 16,200 Convictions In One Year
-
Politics2 days ago
Senegal: Faye Set To Become Youngest Elected African President As Rival Concedes Defeat
-
Business4 days ago
Nigeria’s Public Debt Hits N97.3trn – DMO
-
News4 days ago
I’ll Dedicate My Birthday To Nation-Building, No Celebrations -Tinubu
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
NDDC, Firm To Train Bayelsa Youths In Acquacultrue
-
Sports2 days ago
…As In-Form Rangers Top League Table