Trend Analysis of Lassa fever in Bauchi State

Abstract

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever endemic and its impact has ravaged most of West African countries with Nigeria inclusive. The occurrence of the diseases has a periodic pattern in Nigeria exhibiting mostly period of November to March of every year which is directly proportional to the climatic conditions. This study was conducted to determine the trends of Lassa fever in Bauchi state and a look for an increased effort by all stake holders. This is because all hands must be on deck. The study uses secondary data from the surveillance indicators from the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in conjunction with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Data on total reported case, tested negative and mortality was collected and used. Findings showed that there is steady increase in magnitude of Lassa fever in Bauchi state with a transmission rate found to be periodic and time dependent, driven by climatic factors such as rainfall, humidity. It poses a serious public health was dared by the defiance, and as such there is need set a benchmark for proactive plans to tackle the menace. For the level of awareness about the disease, there is much that is at the dark side of the disease about the environmental connections to the disease. The treatment centers of Lassa fever should be isolated entity apart from the major facilities for more inward treatment to enhance proactiveness in dealing with the disease. The State government in conjunction with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency should organize training, workshops and seminars of health care workers using the Standard Operating Procedures and use of well defined guidelines on preventive practices procured by NCDC.