Lara Adejoro The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says it recorded 6,704 suspected Lassa fever cases and 162 deaths across 125 Local Government Areas in 28 states. The NCDC announced the figures in its Lassa fever situation report published on its website on Friday. The agency confirmed 911 cases from the suspected cases from January to June 9, 2024.
According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. Humans usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.
The NCDC revealed that the case fatality rate (17.8 per cent) is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.1 per cent).
“In total for 2024, 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 Local Government Areas. “Sixty-five per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 35 per cent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 65 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 25 per cent, Edo 22 per cent, and Bauchi 18 per cent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1,” it added. So far, 33 healthcare w.
