Rapid response to meningococcal disease cluster in Foya district, Lofa County, Liberia January to February 2018

Introduction: early detection of disease outbreaks is paramount to averting associated morbidity and mortality. In January 2018, nine cases including four deaths associated with meningococcal disease were reported in three communities of Foya district, Lofa County, Liberia. Due to the porous borders between Lofa County and communities in neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea, the possibility of epidemic spread of meningococcal disease could not be underestimated. Methods: the county incidence management system (IMS) was activated that coordinated the response activities. Daily meetings were conducted to review response activities progress and challenges. The district rapid response team (DRRT) was the frontline responders. The case based investigation form; case line list and contacts list were used for data collection. A data base was established and analysed daily for action. Tablets Ciprofloxacin were given for chemoprophylaxis.Results: sixty-seven percent (67%) of the cases were males and also 67% of the affected age range was 3 to 14 years and attending primary school. The attack rate was 7/1,000 population and case fatality rate was 44.4 % with majority of the deaths occurring within 24-48 hours of symptoms onset. Three of the cases tested positive for Neisseria Meningitidis sero-type W while six cases were Epi-linked. None of the cases had recent meningococcal vaccination and no health-worker infections were registered.Conclusion: this cluster of cases of meningococcal disease during the meningitis season in a country that is not traditionally part of the meningitis belt emphasized the need for strengthening surveillance, preparedness and response capacity to meningitis

effects of exposure to organophosphorous compounds on some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in Tilapia zillii

The Effect of organophosphorous insecticides compounds [Malathion and Fenitrothion] on certain aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in the freshwater fish Tilapia zillii exposed to 1/3 LC[50] of both insecticides for 96 hours was studied. Organophosphorous compounds were found to affect some parameters of carbohydrate metabolism. Muscle and liver glycogen decreased significantly accompanied with significant increase of the plasma glucose and the specific activity of phosphorylase enzyme in both liver and muscles. The activity of Succinate dehydrogenase [SDH], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and malate dehydrogenase [MDH] showed a significant decrease in liver and muscle tissues. Alanine transferase [ALT] and Aspartate transferase [AST] in liver and muscles also showed a significant decrease. Significant alterations in the content of metabolites and enzyme activity under malathion and fenitrothion toxicity seemed to suggest marked shift from aerobic to anaerobic condition