Lassa fever: Nigeria registers 10 cases in a week

Nigeria has recorded 10 cases of Lassa fever in four states in one week from May 20 to 26.

The Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed this in its latest Lassa fever status report for week 21.

The NCDC noted that the number of confirmed cases increased from four in week 20 to 10 in the reporting week, adding that the number of suspected cases increased compared to those reported for the same period in 2023.

Collectively, Nigeria has recorded 897 confirmed cases and 162 deaths in 2024 with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.1 percent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.1 percent).

More details

According to the NCDC, 28 states have confirmed at least one case in 125 local government areas (LGAs) in 2024.

He noted that 65 percent of the confirmed cases were recorded in four states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Plateau, while 35 percent were reported in 25 states.

Of the 65 percent, Ondo State accounted for 25 percent, Edo 22 percent and Bauchi 18 percent.

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People between 31 and 40 years old are most affected by the disease, adding that no healthcare workers were infected in the reporting week.

“The National Lassa Fever Multisectoral Technical Working Group (GTT) continues to coordinate the response at all levels,” he said.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) viral disease that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated people.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, chest pain and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other areas. body openings.