HIGHLIGHTS
● Two (2) new confirmed case reported from Bong and Nimba Counties
● Sixteen (16) contacts including 8 healthcare workers (HCWs) line listed
● Total of 50 contacts including 26 HCWs under 21 days follow up
● A total of 157 confirmed cases including 46 deaths reported
● Cumulative Case Fatality Rate (CFR): 29% (46/157)
● Two counties are currently in outbreak
SITUATIONAL CONTEXT
Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness that is endemic in West Africa, including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. The incubation period ranges from 2-21 days and transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with infected rodent urine or feces. The signs and symptoms are usually gradual, but start with fever, general weakness, malaise, and later headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain or facial swelling, and bleeding.
LF is a major public health concern in Liberia. To date, eight (8) out of the fifteen (15) counties (Bong, Grand Bassa, Nimba, Margibi, Lofa, Montserrado, Grand Kru, and River Gee) have reported confirmed cases. Bong, Grand Bassa, and Nimba counties are endemic, while Margibi, Lofa, Montserrado, Grand Kru, and River Gee have reported sporadic cases.
In 2021, the country recorded 12 outbreaks including 25 laboratory-confirmed cases with 15 deaths accounting for a 60% case fatality rate (CFR). These outbreaks generated 325 contacts of which 196 were healthcare workers (HCWs).
From January 6, 2022 to present, we recorded 22 outbreaks. The ongoing outbreak, which started January 6, 2022 in Bong County, has recorded 157 laboratory-confirmed cases including 46 deaths (CRF 29%). A total of 1315 contacts have been recorded including 475 healthcare workers.
