By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, has revealed that Edo State recorded 240 positive cases of lassa fever and 21 deaths between December and March this year.
Dr Okoeguele also revealed that 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of lassa fever infection annually with over 5000 deaths.
Okoeguale stated this while delivering a lecture titled University Community Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research: Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria at the first edition of the College of Medical Science Lecture Series organise by the Edo State University Uzairue.
He said lassa fever is classified by WHO as a priority disease for research and development.
Dr. Okoeguale said only 20 percent of those infected are symptomatic while 80 percent are asymptomatic and do not sick or present themselves for treatment
Okoeguale a consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist said the only way to bring a stop to the scourge of the disease is by prevention and vaccine.
He said lassa fever has continued to cause mortalities in all age groups and in both male and female, undiagnosed and unchallenged hence, WHO has recommended centres of excellence in affected region such as lassa fever centre at Kenema General Hospital, Sierra Leone and the Institute of lassa fever Research and Control, Irrua also known as Institute of Viral And Emergent Pathogens Control And Research adding that the number have been increased to five with Federal Medical Center, Owo, FMC Bauchi and FETHA, Abakaliki.
According to him,”lassa fever outbreak has continued to occur yearly with growing incidence and increasing geographical spread affecting children, pregnant and non pregnant adults in Nigeria”.
“The yearly outbreak of lassa fever has placed enormous strain on all aspects of the health system in Nigeria and the only way to bring a stop to this scourge of disease is by vaccination and prevention”.
The director of the institute disclosed that the centre is designing trials that would help in developing new drugs and vaccine for lassa fever.
“We have built and equipped an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing centre and we commenced the sequencing not only of the lassa fever virus, but the Covid-19 and monkey pox virus.
“We have recently received approval by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) to conduct a platform trial of new drugs for lassa fever.
“We are currently collaborating with the United State Centre of Disease Control George Town and the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship programme for the clinical management of lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases.
In his opening address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Dawood Egbefo said that the gathering is to address a critical issue that impacted not only the community but also the entire nation.
He said lassa fever remained a significant public health challenge in Nigeria that affected countless lives and placing a strain on the healthcare system.
The Ag VC highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration as lassa fever research required input from various fields such as biology, medicine, public health, social sciences in order to fostering a culture of teamwork that can create a holistic approach to the public health challenge.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Provost College of Medical Sciences Edo State University Uzairue, Dr. Kenneth Atoe said the gathering was to explore a crucial topic that resonate deeply with the institution’s commitment to improving public health and addressing local challenges.
