Descriptive epidemiology of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2012-2017.
Introduction
Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic zoonotic disease is endemic in some parts of Nigeria. The disease alert and outbreak threshold are known; however, there has been a shift from the previous seasonal transmission pattern to an all year-round transmission. We described data on Lassa fever and highlighted the magnitude of the disease over a six-year period.


Methods
we conducted a secondary data analyses of Lassa fever specific surveillance data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) records of all states in Nigeria over a six-year period (2012-2017).


Results
a total of 5974 suspected cases were reported within the study period; of these, 759 (12.7%) were confirmed by laboratory diagnosis. Highest number of cases was recorded in 2012. Edo and Ondo states in the southern region of the country were mostly affected within the study period. The seasonal trend of Lassa fever cases showed peaks within January to March, except for year 2015.


Conclusion
there was a high burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria especially in the southern part. Lassa fever transmission occurs all year-round with peaks in January and March. There is need to develop preparedness plans and define thresholds for Lassa fever epidemic.
['Okoro|Onyebuchi Augustine|OA|', 'Bamgboye|Eniola|E|', 'Dan-Nwafor|Chioma|C|', 'Umeokonkwo|Chukwuma|C|', 'Ilori|Elsie|E|', 'Yashe|Rimamdeyati|R|', 'Balogun|Muhammad|M|', 'Nguku|Patrick|P|', 'Ihekweazu|Chikwe|C|']
D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring D006801:Humans D007835:Lassa Fever D009549:Nigeria D012621:Seasons
Lassa fever Nigeria outbreak