-Cases reported on Lassa fever, Meningitis, Measles

By our Reporter

There have been three confirmed Lassa fever cases reported in Liberia recently, the Integrated Early Warning Disease Surveillance and Response Bulletin has said.

But no death has been reported from the Lassa fever cases.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.

It is said to be transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.

The Disease Surveillance Bulletin, dated January 8-14, 2018 from the Ministry of Health, also said “a total of 178 suspected cases of immediately reportable diseases and events” in the country.

It said 26 of the deaths were reported from 15 counties.

In Nimba and Montserrado Counties, there are said to be “confirmed Measles outbreaks.”

Health facilities are said to be playing up to the game in their disease surveillance reporting, as their “completeness and timeliness are both 98%.”

Prior to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, early warning in disease surveillance reporting in Liberia used to be patchy, according to various reports by health officials in the country.

Meanwhile, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) on Wednesday disclosed the death of three persons from a disease believed to be Meningitis in Lofa County.

NPHIL said the three victims are from the same family.