THE ROLE OF IMMUNIZATION IN PREVENTING CHILDHOOD DISEASES IN ILORIN - EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE.

The predisposing factors have been reported to include contact with surfaces or food contaminated with rodent urine or feces often during the post-harvest drying of grains in the open or handling of infected rats for consumption (Dalhat et al., 2022). Clinically, most LF cases are asymptomatic, mild, or severe. The severe form of LF could affect multiple organs and tissues and present as facial swelling (edema), bleeding, severe anemia, low blood pressure, confusion, kidney failure, and even coma with death occurring within 14–20 days of experiencing symptoms ( Ojo et al, 2019; Goufa et al, 2020). In Nigeria, Lassa fever cases typically peak during the dry season from December to April, with an estimated annual incidence of 100,000 to 300,000 infections and approximately 5,000 deaths, although these figures are likely under-reported due to inconsistent surveillance ( Saka et al, 2024). During epidemics, case fatality rate can go up to 50%. The disease affects all age groups with no preference, it has an untoward effect on pregnancy particularly in the last trimester with maternal and perinatal mortality occurring in 95 out of 100 pregnant women in late pregnancy (Asuke et al., 2020).