Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025176 (Oral 088) | Published: 12 Aug 2025
Anietie Akpan1,&, Yetunde Abioye1, Nsikan Primus Okon1, Emmanuella Chinenye Asiegbu2, Magdalene Baneche Nanven2 , Nwambeke Ogbonna Nwambeke3, Uduak Upabio Itam4
1Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 2Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, 3Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, 4University of Jos, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Public Health and preventive Medicine
&Corresponding author: Anietie Emmauel Akpan, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 801 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. Email: anietiea320@gmail.com
Received: 19 Apr 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 12 Aug 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Lassa fever, epidemiology, Ebonyi State, symptoms, mortality, geospatial analysis
©Anietie Akpan 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: Anietie Akpan et al., Epidemiological analysis of Lassa fever in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 2020–2025: Trends, demographics, symptom patterns and outcomes. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00088. https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-confpro5-00088
Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus, is a significant public health challenge in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, with high incidence and case fatalities in Ebonyi State. An epidemiological assessment of Lassa fever in Ebonyi from 2020 to 2025, trends, demographics, clinical outcomes, and symptoms of laboratory-confirmed cases was conducted.
A retrospective analysis was conducted using secondary data from surveillance systems in Ebonyi State. The focus was on laboratory-confirmed cases identified through RT-PCR testing, excluding suspected cases and incomplete records. Key variables included demographics (age and sex), geographic distribution by local government areas (LGAs), temporal trends, clinical symptoms, and outcomes (recovery or death). Descriptive statistics, time-series analysis, geospatial mapping, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were employed to identify risk factors and mortality predictors.
Preliminary analysis of 297 cases indicated that 2020 had the highest prevalence (31.3%). Abakaliki LGA reported the most cases (n=142), followed by Ezza North (n=35), while Afikpo North and Ishielu had the fewest (n=4). No significant gender differences were found, but age inconsistencies hindered mean/median age determination. On stratification, age group significantly influenced disease outcomes (p<0.05). CFR is 43%. Common symptoms included fever (94.3%), fatigue (80%), and abdominal pain (64%). Severe outcomes were linked to bleeding (24%) and sepsis (21.7%), with associated higher mortality rates (p<0.05). Cases peaked during the dry season (December–March), aligning with rodent-human transmission dynamics. Abakaliki, Izzi, and Ikwo LGAs were high-burden areas, highlighting the need for targeted rodent control and community awareness initiatives.
This study underscores the impact of Lassa fever in Ebonyi State, revealing significant seasonal, demographic, and geographic patterns. Strengthening surveillance and targeted interventions in high-risk areas are crucial for reducing transmission and improving patient outcomes. Future research should address data quality issues, especially in age reporting and environmental factors, to enhance risk stratification.
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