In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 15, No. 3 ( 2021-3-8), p. e0009169-
Abstract:
Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness with various non-specific clinical manifestations. Neurological symptoms are rare at the early stage of the disease, but may be seen in late stages, in severely ill patients.The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological evolution, socio-demographic profiles, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients seen during two Lassa fever outbreaks in Ebonyi State, between December 2017 and December 2018. Routinely collected clinical data from all patients admitted to the Virology Centre of the hospital during the period were analysed retrospectively. Out of a total of 83 cases, 70(84.3%) were RT-PCR confirmed while 13 (15.7%) were probable cases. Sixty-nine (83.1%) patients were seen in outbreak 1 of whom 53.6% were urban residents, while 19%, 15%, and 10% were farmers, students and health workers respectively. There were 14 (16.8%) patients, seen in second outbreak with 92.9% rural residents. There were differences in clinical symptoms, signs and laboratory findings between the two outbreaks. The case fatality rates were 29.9% in outbreak 1 and 85.7% for outbreak 2. Neurological features and abnormal laboratory test results were associated with higher mortality rate, seen in outbreak 2. This study revealed significant differences between the two outbreaks. Of particular concern was the higher case fatality during the outbreak 2 which may be from a more virulent strain of the Lassa virus. This has important public health implications and further molecular studies are needed to better define its characteristics.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009169.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
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