The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 1,068 cases of Lassa fever occurring across 112 Local Government Areas in 28 states. This information was disclosed in the Lassa Fever situation report for week 37 (September 11 – 17, 2023), released by the NCDC.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which belongs to the arenavirus family. Typically, humans contract the Lassa virus by coming into contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. This disease is endemic in the rodent population in various parts of West Africa.
Lassa fever remains a major public health challenge as poor environmental sanitation, poor awareness, and late presentation of cases are reported to fuel the epidemic in Nigeria.
The NCDC said the suspected cases are now 7,352 and that the disease has killed no fewer than 181 persons in the country.
With the current death toll, the agency noted that the case-fatality ratio of the outbreak stood at 16.9 percent.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 37, 2023, 181 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 16.9 percent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.1 percent).
“In total for 2023, 28 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 Local Government Areas.
“Seventy-five percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 25 percent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 75 percent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35 percent, Edo 29 percent, and Bauchi 11 percent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9. The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022,” NCDC said
So far this year, the disease has infected 49 healthcare workers in Nigeria.
The NCDC noted that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.
