Via The Eagle Online: Lassa fever: Why fatality rate is high – Expert. Excerpt:
A medical laboratory scientist, Solomon Chollom, has identified inadequate diagnostic centres and late presentation as major factors responsible for high fatality in Lassa fever outbreak in Plateau State.
Chollom, who works with the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos. According to him, timing is very important in the management of Lassa fever, as any slight delay can give rise to mortality.
Chollom said: “The absence of a Lassa Diagnostic Centre in the state which has been a traditional wetland for Lassa fever since the 80s, is a major setback in our resolve to win the battle.
“We rely mostly on diagnostic centres in Edo or Lagos States for Lassa diagnosis.
“As such, we have huge challenge of delayed laboratory diagnosis of the disease as a result of the increased turnaround time from sample collection to receipt of result to guide medical intervention.
“Delayed diagnosis is fatal in Lassa fever management as the drug, Ribavirin, is more effective when administered before day 10 post-infection.”
According to him, for comprehensive research and diagnostic work on Lassa fever, a Class 3 Biosafety Laboratory is needed, and this is not available in Plateau. and delayed diagnosis is fatal in Lassa fever.
Chollom said that transportation of grade A pathologic samples for a long distance, if not well packaged, would give room for the distribution of the virus along the routes of public transport.
He blamed the high cases of fatality associated with Lassa fever to the passive surveillance system in the state.
He said: “We have a weak surveillance system. An ideal surveillance system is supposed to be proactive and not reactive to diseases outbreak."
