Nigeria records two new cases as deaths decline

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported two new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in week 25 of 2024, from 17 to 23 June.

With no deaths recorded during the reporting week, the latest NCDC situation report indicates a significant decline in the number of people dying from the disease across the country.

Edo State in the south-south was responsible for the new confirmed cases in the country.

In the past five weeks (weeks 21 to 25), the CDC has not reported any deaths from the disease that has claimed 162 lives since the beginning of the year through week 20.

Between weeks 21 and 25, from May 20 to June 23, the country recorded 33 confirmed cases out of a total of 920 reported cases in 125 local government areas in 27 states and the FCT.

Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and the annual peak is usually observed during the dry season (December-April). Therefore, the number of cases is expected to decrease as the dry season ends and the rainy season begins.

Breakdown of cases

While no healthcare workers were affected in week 25 of the report, NCDC data shows that a total of 33 healthcare workers were affected by the disease in 2024.

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Overall, from week 1 to 25, NCDC noted that 162 deaths have been recorded with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.6 percent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (20.0) percent.

He noted that the number of suspected cases (6,902) increased compared to what was reported in the same period in 2023 (5,381).

According to NCDC, 66 per cent of all confirmed cases were recorded in three states: Ondo, Edo and Bauchi, while 34 per cent were reported in 25 states.

The report indicated that of the 66 per cent, Ondo accounted for 26 per cent, Edo 22 per cent and Bauchi 18 per cent.

The NCDC noted that the predominant age group affected by the infection is 21 to 30 years.

Efforts, challenges

In the latest report, the NCDC highlighted its ongoing efforts to coordinate the response to the outbreak, including contact tracing, surveillance and awareness campaigns.

He noted that some of the challenges include late presentation of cases, leading to increased case fatality rate, and poor care-seeking behaviour due to high cost of treatment and clinical management.

Other challenges include poor environmental sanitation and low awareness reported in the most affected communities.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease (excessive bleeding) 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 aches, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.