NIgeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians especially people living in Sokoto to adhere strictly to preventive measures against dangue fever.
The director-general of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, has however, said that based on a dynamic risk assessment, the current risk level of the dengue outbreak has been determined to be moderate.
The DG explained that the outbreak is moderate because “Only Sokoto state has reported confirmed cases so far. Only three (3) of the 23 LGAs in the states are affected. No severe disease or death has been reported. Sokoto state can respond to the outbreak, building on lessons learnt from prior dengue virus outbreaks (2016 and 2019).
“No healthcare worker infections or deaths have been reported. There, however, remains a low index of suspicion among healthcare workers (HCWs).
There is currently adequate in-country capacity (including technical, health workforce and diagnostic) to respond effectively in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
“Nigeria has also responded to viral haemorrhagic fever epidemics like the Ebola Outbreak in 2014 and subsequently lassa fever. This has built our preparedness and response capabilities for viral
haemorrhagic fevers like dengue virus (DENV) over the years.”
He has therefore, urged Nigerians, especially Sokoto residents to “sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets and use insect-repellent in sleeping areas. “Ensure proper sanitation of your environment to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes.”
Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and transmitted to humans through the infected mosquito’s bite.
Ifedayo said human-to-human transmission of the virus has not been
established, adding that DENV is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas worldwide.
According to him, most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and will get better in one – two weeks.
“Rarely, dengue can be severe and lead to death. If symptoms occur, they usually begin four–ten days after infection and last for two -seven days.
“Symptoms may include high fever (40°C/104°F), severe
headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rash. Individuals who are infected for the second time are at greater risk of severe dengue.
“Available data shows that prevention and control of DENV infection depend on vector control.
“There is no specific treatment for dengue, however, early detection and prompt initiation of supportive treatment have been shown to significantly reduce death,” he explained.