Effects of Early Treatment of Lassa Fever and Symptoms in Nigeria

Lassa fever is an acute viral disease characterized by a broad range of clinical symptoms. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria, focusing on demographic patterns, symptomatology, geographic distribution, and factors influencing outcomes of patients. Using secondary data collected from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from 2018 to 2021, Geographically, Edo and Ondo States accounted for the majority of cases, contributing 49.1% and 23.6% of recoveries, respectively, highlighting the regional concentration of Lassa fever burden. Factor analysis of symptoms revealed two distinct clusters: Late-stage symptoms, such as bleeding, respiratory distress, and chest pain, which were strongly associated with fatal outcomes, and Early-stage symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances, which facilitated initial disease detection. Logistic regression identified early- stage symptoms, late-stage symptoms and advanced age as significant predictors of mortality, while early-stage symptoms shows a less pronounced likelihood of death compared to late-stage symptoms when there is timely intervention. The findings emphasize the importance of early detection of symptoms and treatment as critical strategies to mitigate the impact of Lassa fever. Additionally, targeted interventions should focus on capturing Lassa fever cases in rural areas of other regions and prioritize regions with high disease prevalence and vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. Enhanced diagnostic accuracy, timely treatment, and symptom monitoring are crucial to reducing mortality and improving outcomes for Lassa fever patients.