Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021.
<h4>Background</h4>Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in Nigeria. Improved surveillance and testing capacity have revealed in an increased number of reported cases and apparent geographic spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria. We described the recent four-year trend of Lassa fe...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279467 |
| _version_ | 1797961250482683904 |
|---|---|
| author | Mahmood M Dalhat Adebola Olayinka Martin M Meremikwu Chioma Dan-Nwafor Akanimo Iniobong Lorretta F Ntoimo Ikenna Onoh Sandra Mba Cornelius Ohonsi Chinedu Arinze Ekpereonne B Esu Obinna Nwafor Ipadeola Oladipupo Michael Onoja Elsie Ilori Friday Okonofua Chinwe L Ochu Ehimario U Igumbor Ifedayo Adetifa |
| author_facet | Mahmood M Dalhat Adebola Olayinka Martin M Meremikwu Chioma Dan-Nwafor Akanimo Iniobong Lorretta F Ntoimo Ikenna Onoh Sandra Mba Cornelius Ohonsi Chinedu Arinze Ekpereonne B Esu Obinna Nwafor Ipadeola Oladipupo Michael Onoja Elsie Ilori Friday Okonofua Chinwe L Ochu Ehimario U Igumbor Ifedayo Adetifa |
| author_sort | Mahmood M Dalhat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in Nigeria. Improved surveillance and testing capacity have revealed in an increased number of reported cases and apparent geographic spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria. We described the recent four-year trend of Lassa fever in Nigeria to improve understanding of its epidemiology and inform the design of appropriate interventions.<h4>Methods</h4>We analysed the national surveillance data on Lassa fever maintained by the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and described trends, sociodemographic, geographic distribution, and clinical outcomes. We compared cases, positivity, and clinical outcomes in the period January 2018 to December 2021.<h4>Results</h4>We found Lassa fever to be reported throughout the year with more than half the cases reported within the first quarter of the year, a recent increase in numbers and geographic spread of the virus, and male and adult (>18 years) preponderance. Case fatality rates were worse in males, the under-five and elderly, during off-peak periods, and among low reporting states.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria with a recent increase in numbers and geographical distribution. Sustaining improved surveillance, enhanced laboratory diagnosis and improved case management capacity during off-peak periods should remain a priority. Attention should be paid to the very young and elderly during outbreaks. Further research efforts should identify and address specific factors that determine poor clinical outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:56:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-feb9f29d663843a8b9e76b4750babae6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:56:06Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-feb9f29d663843a8b9e76b4750babae62023-01-05T05:31:19ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-011712e027946710.1371/journal.pone.0279467Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021.Mahmood M DalhatAdebola OlayinkaMartin M MeremikwuChioma Dan-NwaforAkanimo IniobongLorretta F NtoimoIkenna OnohSandra MbaCornelius OhonsiChinedu ArinzeEkpereonne B EsuObinna NwaforIpadeola OladipupoMichael OnojaElsie IloriFriday OkonofuaChinwe L OchuEhimario U IgumborIfedayo Adetifa<h4>Background</h4>Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in Nigeria. Improved surveillance and testing capacity have revealed in an increased number of reported cases and apparent geographic spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria. We described the recent four-year trend of Lassa fever in Nigeria to improve understanding of its epidemiology and inform the design of appropriate interventions.<h4>Methods</h4>We analysed the national surveillance data on Lassa fever maintained by the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and described trends, sociodemographic, geographic distribution, and clinical outcomes. We compared cases, positivity, and clinical outcomes in the period January 2018 to December 2021.<h4>Results</h4>We found Lassa fever to be reported throughout the year with more than half the cases reported within the first quarter of the year, a recent increase in numbers and geographic spread of the virus, and male and adult (>18 years) preponderance. Case fatality rates were worse in males, the under-five and elderly, during off-peak periods, and among low reporting states.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria with a recent increase in numbers and geographical distribution. Sustaining improved surveillance, enhanced laboratory diagnosis and improved case management capacity during off-peak periods should remain a priority. Attention should be paid to the very young and elderly during outbreaks. Further research efforts should identify and address specific factors that determine poor clinical outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279467 |
| spellingShingle | Mahmood M Dalhat Adebola Olayinka Martin M Meremikwu Chioma Dan-Nwafor Akanimo Iniobong Lorretta F Ntoimo Ikenna Onoh Sandra Mba Cornelius Ohonsi Chinedu Arinze Ekpereonne B Esu Obinna Nwafor Ipadeola Oladipupo Michael Onoja Elsie Ilori Friday Okonofua Chinwe L Ochu Ehimario U Igumbor Ifedayo Adetifa Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021. PLoS ONE |
| title | Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021. |
| title_full | Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021. |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021. |
| title_short | Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021. |
| title_sort | epidemiological trends of lassa fever in nigeria 2018 2021 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279467 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mahmoodmdalhat epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT adebolaolayinka epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT martinmmeremikwu epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT chiomadannwafor epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT akanimoiniobong epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT lorrettafntoimo epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT ikennaonoh epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT sandramba epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT corneliusohonsi epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT chineduarinze epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT ekpereonnebesu epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT obinnanwafor epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT ipadeolaoladipupo epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT michaelonoja epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT elsieilori epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT fridayokonofua epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT chinwelochu epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT ehimariouigumbor epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 AT ifedayoadetifa epidemiologicaltrendsoflassafeverinnigeria20182021 |