Health Alerts

The Lassa fever outbreak continues with 213 confirmed and two probable cases from 16 states up to Jan 27, according to an NCDC Situation Report. In response to the outbreak, the WHO is now ‘mobilizing experts to intervene in investigations, contact-tracing, risk communication and plans are underway to strengthen efforts to further assist Nigeria in controlling the Lassa fever outbreak’. In an assessment of the situation, the WHO notes that ‘the trend in the current outbreak has already exceeded those in any of the previous years … This changing trend is worrying’. Read all outbreak news in the region in the WHO Weekly Bulletin (Feb 1) here.

Authorities in Guinea have announced a rare case of Lassa fever in the town of Mamou, NE of the capital Conakry. The victim, who died late last month was from Kissidougou prefecture. ProMED is reporting that one year ago, a Guinean national from the SE prefecture of Youmou died of Lassa in Liberia. Read more.