Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
Solomon Chuwang Chollom, Sophia Osawe, Patricia Lar, Daniel Zanyu Egah, Ille Mamman and Alash��?le Abimiku
National Veterinary Research Institute, Nigeria
Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria
University of Jos, Nigeria
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir
Lassa fever is a fatal hemorrhagic disease endemic in West Africa. Following the index case in Lassa, Nigeria in 1969, outbreaks of Lassa fever have become common in Nigeria. Plateau state reported the first case of Lassa fever in the early 80s and till date, published and unpublished data shows that no year passes by without Lassa fever epidemics been recorded. Unfortunately, this has continued without commensurable scaling up of intervention programs by appropriate authorities. The aim of this study is to review, analyze and document recent Lassa fever-related mortality in Plateau State. State Ministry of Health (SMoH) and tertiary hospitals in the Plateau State were targeted. Ethical approval was obtained from the SMoH and Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH); Jos. Data on Lassa fever cases was obtained from the targeted health institutions and analyzed using simple statistical tools. 59 suspected cases were reported within the period under review (2012-2014). Majority 48 (81.3%) were from Northern Plateau, 5 (8.5%) from Central Plateau, 2 (3.4%) from Southern Plateau while 4 (6.8%) were from States bordering Plateau. Percentage mortality of cases in 2012, 2013 and 2014 stood at 70.0% (7/10), 36.4% (8/22) and 18.5% (5/27) respectively. Although reported cases are on the rise, prompt administration of ribavirin by experienced health care workers may have been responsible for the decline in mortality over the years. Improvement on intervention strategies, training, diagnostic facilities should continue to be prioritized.
Solomon Chuwang Chollom is currently a PhD student in the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Jos, Nigeria. He has completed his Master of Science degree from University of Jos, Nigeria. He is a Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Viral Research Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria. His research interest is in emerging hemorrhagic fevers and antiviral studies. He has 30 publications in peer reviewed journals.
Email: chollom4real@yahoo.com