Nigeria has recorded 10 cases of Lassa fever across four states in one week, spanning 20 to 26 May.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(NCDC) revealed this in its latest Lassa fever situation report for week 21.
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 that reported for the same period in 2023.
Cumulatively, Nigeria has recorded 897 confirmed cases and 162 deaths in 2024 with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.1 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.1 per cent).
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According to NCDC, 28 states have confirmed, at least, one case across 125 local government areas (LGA) in 2024.
It noted that 65 per cent of the confirmed cases were recorded from four states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Plateau, while 35 per cent was reported from 25 states.
Of the 65 per cent, Ondo State accounted for 25 per cent, Edo, 22 per cent, and Bauchi, 18 per cent.
It said that people between the ages of 31 and 40 are predominantly affected by the disease, adding that no health worker was infected in the reporting week.
“The National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues coordinating the response at all levels,” it said.
Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.
Also Read: Lassa Fever: Rivers State Confirms Outbreak As One Dies
Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and, in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
