With the outbreak of Lassa Fever, Nigeria is again confronted with another health challenge several months after it successfully tackled Ebola virus, Paul Obi writes
Just about a year ago, Nigeria confronted its greatest health crisis – Ebola. The efforts and collaboration that were deployed to curtail the epidemic by Lagos State government and the federal government under former President Goodluck Jonathan received global commendation as only few deaths were recorded. Even within that period of Ebola scourge, there were reported cases of Lassa Fever, but the disease failed to get the prominence Ebola received.
The situation is however different now as Lassa Fever has returned ravaging the land, with health officials scrambling to curtail the spread. In the South West, a healthcare worker was reported to have ran for her life as a patient was diagnosed with Lassa fever. As at the last count, about 43 persons have been confirmed dead as the disease has spread to 20 states, including Abuja. Nearly 100 persons with contacts with Lassa Fever patients are being traced by the federal government. About seven of the ten states are seemed to be helpless on the solutions to curtail the disease. The dilly-dally approach adopted by the states affected had worsen the situation for the rest of the country.
The ten states affected include Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Plateau and Oyo States. With the Abuja case recorded last week, the Federal Capital Territory has now joined the list. The first case of the current outbreak was reported in Bauchi last November. This was followed by cases reported by Kano State, and subsequently the other states mentioned above. Speaking last week, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stated that “as at today, records from our surveillance show that the number of suspected cases is 93, number of laboratory confirmed cases is 25 and the number of reported deaths is 43, with a case fatality of 44.0%.” Adewole noted that it was the failure of the notification system that made it impossible for the ministry to respond promptly to the situation in Niger State, reiterating that the federal government’s mission and mandate in the health sector was to keep every Nigerian safe. Of a truth, since last year when the disease broke out in Bauchi, Kano and Niger, health officials in those states failed to report the cases to federal authorities in Abuja, particularly, the Federal Ministry of Health.
It was that silence that helped spread the virus to other states. While patients were dying, villagers quickly buried the deceased quietly due to various cultural misconceptions among other factors. The death of about 43 persons appears to have woken the authorities from slumber, as health officials now scramble to curtail the deadly virus.
However, the minister advised that all hands should be on deck to sustain the current status of the disease by ensuring that the Federal Ministry of health is immediately notified of any strange death or disease, because, “every life counts and every death also counts.” The minister also urged the general public to avoid contact with rodents/rats as well as food/objects contaminated with rats secretions/excretions.
“Avoid drying food in the open and along the roadside. It is also important to cover all food to prevent rodent’s contamination, all suspected cases should be reported immediately to enable early treatment” Adewole said. The minister emphasized that since the outbreak of the disease this year, the fatality rate in the country had so far remained at 44%. He then reassured that there was no person-to-person or hospital acquired infection recorded except the case in Plateau state. This, he said, was good news.
The inability of Bauchi, kano, and Niger States to Report cases in their domain early enough might have thrown Nigeria into another Health crisis. As the officials of the federal ministry of health go in search of practicals solutions to combact lassa fever state governments must also be compelled to do more in tracking patients and contacts linked to the virus. That way, Prevention can be certain.
The latest case of Lassa fever in the FCT is rather pathetic. The dead patient was said to have been rushed to the National Hospital after eight days in a private hospital in Kubwa, a satellite town in FCT. According to the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Jack Momoh, “ the patient was brought in unconscious from a Private Hospital in Kubwa where he was admitted for 8 days. The 33 year old newly married lived in Jos, Plateau State but came to see a family member in Kubwa because of his illness. He however died within 24 hours of presentation at the National Hospital.”
Also, the Spokesperson of the National Hospital, Mr. Tayo Hastrup, has announced that the setting up of isolation centre in the hospital for treatment of Lassa fever. He also noted that hospital workers have been prepared for such cases should there be any reoccurrence.
Hastrup also revealed that the test conducted on the other suspected patient came out negative. He therefore assured FCT residence that the hospital was adequately prepared and ready to deal with any emergency.
The inability of Bauchi, Kano and Niger States to report cases in their domain early enough might have thrown Nigeria into another health crisis.As the officials of the federal ministry of health go in search of practical solutions to combat Lassa fever, state governments must also be compelled to do more in tracking patients and contacts linked to the virus. That way, prevention can be certain.
Yet, to fight and wrestle Lassa fever is not too late. The whole workforce in the health sector should be mobilised to stop further transmission of the disease. Nigeria ought to have learnt some lessons from the Ebola pandemic. Though that experience with Ebola showed how the collective actions of Nigeria can be at work - with great outcomes and performance. It was a win - win situation for Nigeria. At least, issues like isolation camps and logistics should not be a problem now having been provided during the Ebola scourge. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should be proactive in this trying times.
But beyond such issues, the current Lassa fever outbreak should be a litmus test for the new minister, Prof. Adewole. It should also usher in a new framework that will hold health officials accountable. The negligence displayed by health officials in Bauchi, Kano and Niger is unpardonable. To end Lassa fever, the type of commitment and dedication during the Ebola crisis need to be replicated. Nigeria should not face another epidemic so soon.
Source: This Day News
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