The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said that 72 per cent of all confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2022 were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the Federal Ministry of Health ministerial press briefing on COVID-19 and other development in the health sector.

Adetifa said “To date, there are 8,202 suspected cases, and 1,067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 LGAs.

“Cumulatively, from week one to week 52, 2022, 189 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.7 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (20.0 per cent).

“Seventy-two per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2022 were reported from these three states – Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi.”

He noted that the NCDC in collaboration with partners, federal and state stakeholders of the Technical Working Group has conducted the finalisation and validation of a 5-year strategic plan to reduce LF fatality ratio in the country to less than 10 per cent.

“We continually appeal to Nigerians to practice personal and environmental hygiene to prevent the infestation of rats in our homes and communities, especially during this dry season which is when we typically record more cases of LF cases

“While the news may seem overwhelming, I enjoin you to remain committed to supporting the national efforts in controlling the spread of infectious diseases in our various capacities.”