The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced a decline in disease outbreaks across the country, with a significant reduction in reported cases of yellow fever, diphtheria and cholera.
However, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris warned of an imminent surge in Lassa fever cases during a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on Wednesday.
Mr. Idris said: “Although Nigeria has seen a decline in cases of various diseases, the country is approaching the Lassa fever season, which usually occurs annually.
“Given the seasonal nature of Lassa fever, we anticipate a potential increase in cases in the coming months. We are therefore proactively stepping up our preparedness efforts to mitigate the impact of the anticipated increase.”
Breakdown of disease outbreaks
The NCDC said that as of September 2024, Nigeria had reported 1,728 suspected cases of yellow fever, of which 43 tested positive.
He said 36 states and the FCT have been affected and 496 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have reported cases.
Yellow fever is a viral disease that causes fever, headache and nausea, and can lead to bleeding, organ failure and death if left untreated. Vaccination is the best prevention, according to the NCDC.
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Eight cases have been confirmed and two deaths reported, resulting in a case fatality rate of 0.1 percent in the reporting week.
On Lassa fever
The Director-General said Nigeria has reported 7,973 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 982 confirmed cases and 168 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 17.1 percent.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted by rodents, causing fever, bleeding, and death.
Other diseases
At the press conference, members of the technical working group noted that in 2024, Nigeria reported a total of 12,085 suspected cases of diphtheria across 21 states and 170 local government areas (LGAs).
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which affects the throat and nose. It is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Of the suspected cases, the NCDC said 7,784 cases have been confirmed, the committee said.
“In week 35 of the epidemic, 20 suspected cases with 12 confirmed cases have been reported in three states and nine local government areas,” they said.
Also speaking on cholera, the committee said that in week 36, Nigeria reported 141 suspected cases of cholera and 1 death in five local government areas.
According to them, the local governments where cases were recorded are Katsina, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa states.
“In total, from week 1 to week 36 of 2024, 216 deaths with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2.8 per cent have been reported from 7,663 suspected cases,” the NCDC said.