In the past week, Nigeria has seen a tragic death and 15 new cases of Lassa fever, a deadly viral disease, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). This update comes from the latest situation report for Week 13, published on the NCDC website.
The report reveals a slight decrease in the number of confirmed cases compared to the previous week, with a total of 806 confirmed cases and 150 deaths recorded from Week one to 13. The case fatality rate stands at 18.6%, higher than the rate reported for the same period in 2023.
Lassa fever has spread to twenty-five states across the country, affecting 125 local government areas. The states of Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi have been hit the hardest, accounting for 62% of all confirmed cases. Individuals between the ages of 31 and 40 have been predominantly affected by the disease.
Despite the challenges faced in the fight against Lassa fever, including late presentation of cases and poor health-seeking behavior, the National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate responses at all levels through the Emergency Operations Centre.
It is crucial to raise awareness about Lassa fever and encourage early detection and treatment to prevent further spread of the disease. Stay informed, stay safe.
