Containing a Lassa fever epidemic in a resource-limited setting: outbreak description and lessons learned from Abakaliki, Nigeria (January–March 2012)

SummaryObjectivesDespite the epidemic nature of Lassa fever (LF), details of outbreaks and response strategies have not been well documented in resource-poor settings. We describe the course of a LF outbreak in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, during January to March 2012.MethodsWe analyzed clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory data from surveillance records and hospital statistics during the outbreak. Fisher's exact tests were used to compare proportions and t-tests to compare differences in means.ResultsThe outbreak response consisted of effective coordination, laboratory testing, active surveillance, community mobilization, contact and suspected case evaluation, and case management. Twenty LF cases (10 confirmed and 10 suspected) were recorded during the outbreak. Nosocomial transmission to six health workers occurred through the index case. Only 1/110 contacts had an asymptomatic infection. Overall, there was high case fatality rate among all cases (6/20; 30%). Patients who received ribavirin were less likely to die than those who did not (p=0.003). The mean delay to presentation for patients who died was 11±3.5 days, while for those who survived was 6±2.6 days (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe response strategies contained the epidemic. Challenges to control efforts included poor local laboratory capacity, inadequate/poor quality of protective materials, fear among health workers, and inadequate emergency preparedness

Pattern of Neonatal Admission and Outcome at a Nigerian tertiary Health Institution

Aim: To describe the pattern of neonatal admission in a tertiary health institution in a developing country and to identify factors associated with its outcome. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective review of 447 neonates admitted at Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki, Nigeria over a 3-year period (November 2000-October 2003). Results: A total of 447 newborn babies were admitted into the Newborn Special Care Unit (NBSCLJ) with the inborn and out born babies constituting 89.3% and 10.7% respectively. Neonatal sepsis (32.4%), prematurity (28.6%) and neonatal asphyxia (14.8%) were the commonest indication for admission. The overall mortality was 19.5% with majority of the deaths occurring in the first week of life. The identified risk factor for neonatal death included birth weight less than 1500g, place of birth, mode of delivery, certain maternal-related factors such as ignorance, low socioeconomic status, non-attendance to antenatal clinic and low parity. Conclusions: Improved access to antenatal care, maternal health education and upgrading existing infrastructure in tertiary institutions will significantly reduce neonatal mortality. Key Words: Neonatal admission pattern, outcome, tertiary institution, Nigeria. Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(3&4) 2004: 31-3

Severe malaria in children under five years

No Abstract.ABSUMSAJ Vol. 1 (1) 2000: pp.14-1