Exposure incidents and outcome of Lassa fever virus (LASV) infection among healthcare workers in Nigeria, 2019

Journal article

Background: Lassa fever (LF) is a zoonotic disease endemic in Nigeria. Primary infection through exposure to excreta, urine or saliva of infected rodents is the most common mode of infection. There is documented evidence of human to human (HTH) transmission, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs) who are more at risk of nosocomial transmission in a hospital environment. In the 2018 Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, eight percent of all cases occurred among HCWs. This paper describes the patterns of exposure, characteristics and outcome of HCWs to Lassa virus (LASV) infection during the 2019 outbreak.

Methods: We analysed secondary demographic, epidemiological and clinical data extracted using a standardized questionnaire. Data was from infected HCW case notes, admission and discharge registers. Descriptive analysis of the collated data was performed using Microsoft Excel. Key findings were summarised in tables and figures.

Results: Nineteen HCWs were investigated out of which 17 (89.5) had exposure to a Lassa fever patient through provision of either medical/nursing, surgical care or laboratory supportive procedures. Two HCWs had needlestick injuries and another two had blood splash, as exposure incidents. Fourteen (73.7%) never had any form of general infection prevention and control (IPC) or Lassa fever specific personal protective equipment (PPE) training. Overall, compliance with IPC practice, especially with the use of PPE and other components of standard/transmission-based precautions was low and suggested to be potential contributing factors to HCW infections.

Conclusion: These exposure incidents suggest the need to constantly sensitise HCWs who work in Lassa fever treatment centres on routine practice of standard and transmission-based precautions when handling patients especially with febrile illnesses. This should include pre-employment and on the job trainings for HCWs on general IPC measures to observe and practice in the hospital environment.

Authors: Saleh, M; Chioma, D-N; Ipadeola, O; Ukponu, W; Mba, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: ClinMed International Library
• Journal: Journal of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 5
• Article number: 168
• Publication date: 2020-10-15
• Acceptance date: 2020-08-14
• DOI: 10.23937/2474-3658/1510168
• EISSN: 2474-3658
• Language: English
• Keywords: Lassa virus infection; Lassa fever; healthcare workers; Nigeria