Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025323 (Poster 105) | Published: 05 Aug 2025
Igbodo Gordon1,2,&, Chika-Igwenyi Nneka3, Oluwole Temitope2, Umahi Chukwu3, Ajayi Nnennaya3, Nwambeke Ogbonna4, Ehiakhamen Odianosen1, Olugbade Titilope2, Elizabeth Adedire2
1Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria, 2Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), 3Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 4Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
&Corresponding author: Igbodo Gordon, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Abuja, Nigeria, Email: gordon.igbodo@ncdc.gov.ng
Received: 31 May 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 05 Aug 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Lassa fever, Nigeria, Case series, outbreak response
©Igbodo Gordon et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Igbodo Gordon et al., Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of confirmed Lassa fever cases in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: A case series analysis. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(Conf Proc5):00249. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00249
Lassa fever (LF) is a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa and a persistent public health threat in Nigeria. Ebonyi State is a high-burden hotspot, with repeated seasonal outbreaks and high case fatality. Despite improved laboratory diagnostics, challenges in early case recognition, misdiagnosis as malaria especially at the lower facilities, and delays in care persist. This study is aimed to describe the clinical, epidemiological, and outcome of confirmed LF cases identified during the 2024/2025 outbreak in Ebonyi State.
We conducted a retrospective-prospective case series study using data from ten (10) laboratory-confirmed LF cases reported between December 2024 and February 2025. Data sources included standardized outbreak investigation forms, hospital records, and direct interviews with patients or relatives. Information collected included demographics, clinical symptoms, exposure history, treatment received, and outcome. Descriptive analysis was performed and supplemented by narrative case-level insights.
Ten confirmed cases were documented: median age was 26 years (range 2–45); Male 6[60%], female 4[40%]. Three cases (30%) were children under 10. Four patients (40%) died. All fatalities had late presentation (≥7 days) or severe complications, including acute kidney injury and bleeding. Three cases were co-infected with malaria. One child died within 30 minutes of arrival at the facility. Another patient, a young adult from a non-endemic state, experienced diagnostic delays across three health facilities. One patient was brought under police escort due to suspected stigma. Only 60% of cases had complete outcome documentation, highlighting follow-up gaps during outbreaks.
This case series highlights the consequences of diagnostic delays, co-infections, and fragmented care pathways in LF outbreaks. Early suspicion/referral, dual malaria/Lassa testing, and pediatric-specific response strategies are urgently needed. Strengthening surveillance can reduce mortality and improve outcomes in endemic states like Ebonyi.
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