Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, the Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, revealed on Monday that Edo State recorded 240 positive cases of Lassa fever and 21 deaths between December and March 2024. During a lecture at the first edition of the College of Medical Science Lecture Series organized by Edo State University Uzairue, Okoeguale emphasized the urgent need for both prevention and vaccination to combat the yearly outbreak of the deadly disease.
“The yearly outbreak of Lassa fever has placed enormous strain on all aspects of the health system in Nigeria,” Okoeguale said. “The only way to bring a stop to this scourge of disease is by vaccination and prevention.” The director’s comments come at a time when Lassa fever continues to impact communities across Nigeria, with significant concerns about the increasing number of cases and deaths.
In addition to the challenges in Edo State, the director noted that approximately 37.7 million people in 14 West African countries are at risk of Lassa fever annually, with over 5,000 deaths reported each year. These numbers highlight the wide-reaching impact of the disease and the critical need for research into vaccines and treatments.
Okoeguale also revealed ongoing efforts to address the problem at a clinical research level. “We have built and equipped an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing centre, and we commenced sequencing not only of the Lassa fever virus but also the Covid-19 and Monkey Pox viruses,” he stated. The centre’s research focus aims to develop new drugs and vaccines for Lassa fever, which remains a persistent public health threat.
In a significant development, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership has recently approved the center’s proposal to conduct a platform trial of new drugs for Lassa fever. This approval marks a milestone in the fight against the disease and could pave the way for more effective treatments in the future. “We are currently collaborating with the United States Centre for Disease Control, George Town, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship program for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases,” Okoeguale added.
Professor Dawood Egbefo, Acting Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, also spoke during the event, underscoring the broader implications of Lassa fever in Nigeria. “This gathering is to address a critical issue that impacts not only the community but the entire nation,” he said. “Lassa fever remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, affecting countless lives and placing a strain on the healthcare system.”
Okoeguale further explained that only 20% of those infected with Lassa fever exhibit symptoms, while the remaining 80% are asymptomatic and do not seek medical attention, making the disease difficult to diagnose and control. He highlighted the importance of research and the need for regional centers of excellence to handle Lassa fever, such as the Lassa Fever Centre at Kenema General Hospital in Sierra Leone and the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control at Irrua.
The director concluded by noting that the number of designated centers of excellence has expanded to five, including the Federal Medical Center in Owo, FMC Bauchi, and FETHA in Abakaliki. “Lassa fever outbreaks have continued to occur yearly with growing incidence and increasing geographical spread, affecting all age groups in Nigeria,” he said, stressing the need for continued collaboration in research and vaccine development to prevent further outbreaks.
