Current molecular epidemiology of Lassa virus in Nigeria.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Ehichioya DU
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3067713 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Current molecular epidemiology of Lassa virus in Nigeria.
Ehichioya Deborah U DU Hass Meike M Becker-Ziaja Beate B Ehimuan Jacqueline J Asogun Danny A DA Fichet-Calvet Elisabeth E Kleinsteuber Katja K Lelke Michaela M ter Meulen Jan J Akpede George O GO Omilabu Sunday A SA Günther Stephan S Olschläger Stephan S
Journal of clinical microbiology 20101229 3
Recent Lassa virus strains from Nigeria were completely or partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the predominance of lineage II and III strains, the existence of a previously undescribed (sub)lineage in Nigeria, and the directional spread of virus in the southern part of the country. The Bayesian analysis also provided estimates for divergence times within the Lassa virus clade. ...[more]
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Project description: Not available
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Project description:BackgroundLassa fever (LF) is a zoonotic infectious disease of public concern in Nigeria. The infection dynamics of the disease is not well elucidated in Nigeria. This study was carried out to describe the pattern of infection, case fatality rate and spread of lassa virus (LASV) from 2017 to 2020.MethodsWeekly epidemiological data on LF from December, 2016 to September, 2020 were obtained from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The number of confirmed cases and deaths were computed according to months and states. Descriptive statistics was performed and case fatality rate was calculated. Distribution and spread maps of LF over the four years period was performed on ArcMap 10.7.ResultsA total of 2787 confirmed cases and 516 deaths were reported in Nigeria from December, 2016 to September, 2020. Increase in number of cases and deaths were observed with 298, 528, 796 and 1165 confirmed cases and 79, 125, 158 and 158 deaths in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. Over 60% of the cases were reported in two states, Edo and Ondo states. The LF cases spread from 19 states in 2017 to 32 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2020. Ondo state (25.39%) had the highest of deaths rate from LF over the four years. Case fatality rate (CFR) of LF was highest in 2017 (26.5%) with CFR of 23.7, 19.6 and 13.4% in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. The peak of infection was in the month of February for the four years. Infections increases at the onset of dry season in November and decline till April when the wet season sets-in.ConclusionThere is an annual increase in the number of LASV infection across the states in Nigeria. There is need to heighten control strategies through the use of integrated approach, ranging from vector control, health education and early diagnosis.
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