A GIS-BASED APPROACH TO RISK MAPPING OF LASSA FEVER OUTBREAK IN AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Lassa fever is an acute viral illness, which is endemic in some counties in West Africa, including Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and parts of Nigeria. It is caused by the Lassa virus, which is primarily hosted by multi-mammate rats that live in and around houses. This study sees the need to enhance public awareness by producing risk maps of Lassa fever for the study area. In a bid to understand and predict the prevalence of the disease in Akure South Local Government Area. Temporal and spatial analyses of Lassa fever cases were carried out, information about related environmental variables such as temperature, rainfall, vegetation, and elevation were obtained. These data sets from primary and secondary sources were integrated independently as predictor variables for the developed risk model. The accessibility of incidences of Lassa fever to health centres was determined and analysed. The risk map produced indicates that areas about the Ijoka community are at higher risk of being affected by a future Lassa fever outbreak than other areas. The model developed an understanding of the high risk and potential outbreak of Lassa fever to alert the general public of the virus to curb the future outbreak. However, future research can be on the control and prevention of Lassa fever in the study area.

Evaluation of the Kano State Lassa Fever Surveillance System, 2015-2018 – Nigeria

BackgroundLassa fever (LF) is one of the priority diseases under surveillance through the integrated disease surveillance and response system (IDSR). We evaluated the LF surveillance system against its set objectives and assessed its attributes. MethodsWe used cross-sectional study design. Forty-seven stakeholders involved in the surveillance system were interviewed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. The LF surveillance data from January 2015 to December 2018 were also analyzed. The attribute and objectives of the system were evaluated. ResultsOut of the 76 suspected cases recorded in kano state during the study period, only 54 samples were laboratory tested, 11 of them were confirmed positive with 9 deaths (case fatality rate of 82%). Confirmed cases were predominantly in Tudun Wada LGA (63.6%), while the age-group 20-39 years constituted 55% of the confirmed cases. There was male preponderance of cases (73%). The predictive value positive (PVP) was 14.5%. The surveillance system was however meeting its objectives of determining LF burden and detecting and characterizing cases and outbreak.ConclusionLF surveillance system in Kano was simple, flexible, stable, acceptable and timely. However, data was not representative. We recommended improved reporting from private and tertiary facilities and more personnel training and support to improve the system.

Stabiizing The Steady State Solution of Lasser Fever: Problems and Prospect

The study of mathematical modeling of the stability analysis of Lassa fever was examined. A mathematical model for the spread and control of Lassa fever was formulated and analyzed. The model incorporates a control parameter, the use of condom to control human to human transmission through sexual contact with opposite sex. The disease free and endemic equilibrium states were analyzed.

A standardised Phase III clinical trial framework to assess therapeutic interventions for Lassa fever

Background Only one recommendation currently exists for the treatment of Lassa fever (LF), which is ribavirin administered in conjunction with supportive care. This recommendation is primarily based on evidence generated from a single clinical trial that was conducted more than 30 years ago–the methodology and results of which have recently come under scrutiny. The requirement for novel therapeutics and reassessment of ribavirin is therefore urgent. However, a significant amount of work now needs to be undertaken to ensure that future trials for LF can be conducted consistently and reliably to facilitate the efficient generation of evidence. Methodology We convened a consultation group to establish the position of clinicians and researchers on the core components of future trials. A Core Eligibility Criteria (CEC), Core Case Definition (CCD), Core Outcome Set (COS) and Core Data Variables (CDV) were developed through the process of a multi-stakeholder consultation that took place using a modified-Delphi methodology. Results A consensus position was achieved for each aspect of the framework, which accounts for the inclusion of pregnant women and children in future LF clinical trials. The framework consists of 8 core criteria, as well as additional considerations for trial protocols. Conclusions This project represents the first step towards delineating the clinical development pathway for new Lassa fever therapeutics, following a period of 40 years without advancement. Future planned projects will bolster the work initiated here to continue the advancement of LF clinical research through a regionally-centred, collaborative methodology, with the aim of delineating a clear pathway through which LF clinical trials can progress efficiently and ensure sustainable investments are made in research capacity at a regional level.

PREVALENCE OF INJURIES AMONG WASTE PICKERS. A CASE STUDY IN NIGERIA

Waste picking might provide, in low-income countries, a livelihood for many individuals representing an important survival strategy. However, during their activities, waste pickers are at risk of encountering harmful waste, which could cause injuries and other infectious diseases. This paper investigates the occurrences of injury among waste pickers and the methods they use to treat the injuries in Bauchi city, Northeastern Nigeria. A total of 322 waste pickers were randomly selected across 80 waste pickers’ middlemen shops. Data was obtained through questionnaire and interview. Based on the data presented, 1474 frequencies of injuries were reported among 247 waste pickers. Age, education and working experience are significant parameters to the prevalence of injuries among waste pickers, and the incidence of injuries increased with the decrease in those parameters. The study shows that most of the waste pickers experienced injuries, most of whom do not attend clinic when injury occurs; instead, they used salt, ash, sand, hydraulic, kerosene, battery acid, among others, to treat their wounds. Cuts and pierces are good entry points for bacteria and viruses, which can eventually spread to the general public infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis, Cholera and Lassa fever. Provision of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), a labor rights policy, immunization and the launch of an awareness campaign are among the recommendations made by this study.

Assessment of Post Vaccination Symptoms Following COVID-19 Vaccination in India: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Introduction: The recent examples of newly emerged diseases that causes alarming situation globally include H1N1, Congo Hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus diseases, Nipah Virus Infection, Lassa Fever and newly declared global emergency pandemic SARS nCOVID-19 infection. Since its emergence, it has spread around the globe. It tends to spread by the inhalation of the respiratory aerosols, direct human contact. Materials and Methods: This analytical study was carried out among the healthcare workers and people who received either of Covishield or Covaxin. The online survey questionnaire was prepared and data obtained through the responses to the survey proforma. Results: 86.17% respondents were above 40 years, 69.15% males and 30.85% were females. 89.36% were vaccinated with Covishield and 10.64% by Covaxin. 75.53% respondents experienced post vaccination symptoms; commonest were the local pain at injection site (28.72%), fever (12.76%), Myalgia (12.77%). The symptoms were found more in respondents with any of co-morbid condition. Discussion: Covishield was used more commonly than Covaxin in study samples. The symptoms following vaccination were more common in 40-60 age group and persons with co-morbid conditions.

Statistical Distribution of Lassa Fever in Edo State, Nigeria

Lassa fever is a severe viral infection caused by the Lassa virus and spread by contact with excretions or secretions of infected rats gaining access to food and water inside human houses and other human activity areas. Sierra Leone, the Republic of Guinea, Nigeria, and Liberia are among the nations where it is endemic with a high number of deaths recorded yearly due to Lassa fever. In Nigeria, one of the states with the highest incidence is Edo. In order to reduce and predict the spread of Lassa fever in Edo state, the trend of the disease needs to be understood. Knowledge of the statistical distribution of a disease is one of the best ways to understand the trend of the disease. Currently, existing research on the statistical distribution of Lassa fever is very rare. The present work is an attempt to initiate research on the statistical distribution of Lassa fever with data obtained on weekly cases of Lassa Fever in Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the Kolmogorov Smirnoff and Anderson Darling’s goodness of fit test for fitting distribution, the Geometric distribution outfitted the weekly confirmed incidences of Lassa fever in Edo State, Nigeria when compared with the Discrete Uniform and Poisson distributions. The study further revealed that on the average, two Lassa fever cases is recorded per week in Edo State within the study period. This number of cases per week is on the high side and should be immediately looked into.

The deuce-ace of Lassa Fever, Ebola virus disease and COVID-19 simultaneous infections and epidemics in West Africa: clinical and public health implications

Globally, the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented clinical and public health concerns with increasing morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the burden of COVID-19 in Africa has been further exacerbated by the simultaneous epidemics of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Lassa Fever (LF) which has created a huge burden on African healthcare systems. As Africa struggles to contain the spread of the second (and third) waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of reported cases of LF is also increasing, and recently, new outbreaks of EVD. Before the pandemic, many of Africa’s frail healthcare systems were already overburdened due to resource limitations in staffing and infrastructure, and also, multiple endemic tropical diseases. However, the shared epidemiological and pathophysiological features of COVID-19, EVD and LF as well their simultaneous occurrence in Africa may result in misdiagnosis at the onset of infection, an increased possibility of co-infection, and rapid and silent community spread of the virus(es). Other challenges include high population mobility across porous borders, risk of human-to-animal transmission and reverse zoonotic spread, and other public health concerns. This review highlights some major clinical and public health challenges toward responses to the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the deuce-ace of recurrent LF and EVD epidemics in Africa. Applying the One Health approach in infectious disease surveillance and preparedness is essential in mitigating emerging and re-emerging (co-)epidemics in Africa and beyond.

Diseases in the Tabloids: Mapping Newspaper Narratives on Lassa Fever Epidemic in Nigeria

Lassa fever is a recurrent endemic disease in Nigeria with increasing seroprevalence in many parts of the country. In the absence of effective preventive vaccines, the mass media are being deployed as independent and complementary interventions to sensitise the public on appropriate measures for mitigating the spread of the disease. This study evaluates the different coverage patterns and frames that dominate newspaper narratives on Lassa fever epidemic in Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 420 editions of six leading Nigerian newspapers published between January 2015 and December 2019. Findings showed that although the epidemic was frequently mentioned in newspaper articles, its coverage was mainly episodic with little media prominence, and its framing was too inadequate to compel the desired public health response. Hence, the study recommends that journalists and newspaper editors must dutifully engage in the publication of Lassa fever outbreak preparedness articles to significantly curb the spread of the disease in Nigeria.

Cross-Reactive Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Pre-COVID-19 Blood Samples from Sierra Leonians

Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced lower COVID-19 caseloads and fewer deaths than countries in other regions worldwide. Under-reporting of cases and a younger population could partly account for these differences, but pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses is another potential factor. Blood samples from Sierra Leonean Lassa fever and Ebola survivors and their contacts collected before the first reported COVID-19 cases were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the presence of antibodies binding to proteins of coronaviruses that infect humans. Results were compared to COVID-19 subjects and healthy blood donors from the United States. Prior to the pandemic, Sierra Leoneans had more frequent exposures than Americans to coronaviruses with epitopes that cross-react with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The percentage of Sierra Leoneans with antibodies reacting to seasonal coronaviruses was also higher than for American blood donors. Serological responses to coronaviruses by Sierra Leoneans did not differ by age or sex. Approximately a quarter of Sierra Leonian pre-pandemic blood samples had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, while about a third neutralized MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Prior exposures to coronaviruses that induce cross-protective immunity may contribute to reduced COVID-19 cases and deaths in Sierra Leone.