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Author: search.filters.author.Cadmus, SimeonHas files: No

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    Epidemiological insight into the possible drivers of Lassa fever in an endemic area of Southwestern Nigeria from 2017 and 2021
    (2023-09-08) Cadmus, Simeon
    Background Lassa fever (LF) is a viral disease transmitted between animals and humans, commonly found in West Africa, including Nigeria. The region experiences an estimated annual total of about 2 million LF cases in humans, leading to 5,000 to 10,000 deaths. Strikingly, up to 80% of LF-infected individuals show no symptoms, making its true incidence hard to determine in endemic populations. We investigated LF distribution, mortality, survival patterns, and contributing factors during a local outbreak in Nigeria, from 2017 to 2021. Method Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response weekly line list for 2017 to 2021 were extracted. The survival pattern of LF patients was visualized with the Kaplan-Meier curve, binary logistic regression model was employed to explore LF-associated factors and level of statistical significance (α) was set at 5%. Result Overall, 4,554 participants were recruited between 2017 and 2021. Their average age varied from 31.82 ± 20.0 to 37.85 ± 17.89. LF-positive patients decreased from 26.9% in 2017 to 17.7% in 2021, paralleling the mortality trend. In 2021, patient survival ranged from 5 to 30 days. Male patients had lower survival odds in the initial 10 days of hospitalization, improved chances from days 10 to 20, and reduced probabilities beyond day 20. Residence location and age were significant factors (p<0.05) associated with LF in Ondo State. Conclusion The decline in LF cases in 2021 could be attributed to the ongoing intervention by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control or the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. To address LF challenges in hotspot areas, we propose Community Action Networks that would operate using the One Health approach involving local stakeholders sustainably to promote Early Warning/Early Response system in high-risk settings and mitigate LF-related issues. SUMMARY Lassa fever (LF) is an important disease of global public health concern that is endemic in West Africa. In Nigeria, the disease constitutes a major health challenge with outbreaks being recorded on an annual basis despite efforts channeled towards combating it by the government at various levels. This study analysed a five years data of LF in Ondo State southwestern Nigeria. The results identified age and location were identified as important factors associated with infection and mortality among LF patients as the incidence and case fatality rates were highest among adults (≥ 45 years), while the highest number of suspected, confirmed and dead cases was recorded in Owo Local Government Area. Furthermore, we identified drying of food items by the roadside where rodent vectors can access them, presence of a local market, poor and unsafe sewage disposal, and proximity of refuse dumps to residential areas as possible socio-ecological factors/practices fueling the endemicity and seasonal outbreak of LF. These findings emphasize the need for active involvement of community members in the already established national LF surveillance network to facilitate prompt case identification, and early reporting and response in the LF-endemic areas of the country.
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    Non-exanthematous mpox infections in Nigeria: a possible explanation of the sporadic outbreaks in city centers?
    (African Field Epidemiology Network, 2025) Cadmus, Simeon
    **Introduction:** non-exanthematous presentations in mpox infection are increasingly reported, posing a risk of underestimating the true burden of the disease. In Nigeria, border towns play a unique role in shaping the dynamics of mpox transmission, yet they have received relatively little research attention. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the prevalence of mpox infection in a potential hotspot region of Nigeria. **Methods:** a cross-sectional study was conducted during a free medical outreach in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, from April 15 to May 20, 2024. Participants were educated on the study objectives and provided informed consent for clinical evaluation and sample collection. Blood samples from 75 participants were tested for the mpox virus using quantitative PCR. Socio-demographic data and clinical presentations were also recorded. **Results:** the mean age of participants was 51.3 ± 18.0 years, and 73.3% were female. Most participants (78.7%) were farmers, and 52.0% had no formal education. Headache (69.3%) and body pain (37.3%) were the most common clinical symptoms, with only 3.6% presenting with fever. Mpox virus DNA was detected in two participants (2.67%) designated K3 and K4. Both cases lacked exanthematous lesions but reported headache and body pain. **Conclusion:** this study identified the presence of non-exanthematous mpox infections in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to recognize and address "subclinical" spreaders to mitigate sporadic outbreaks of mpox infection. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of integrating targeted awareness campaigns to enhance surveillance and improve case detection of asymptomatic mpox in Nigeria.