The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 1,018 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of the 8,411 suspected cases from January 1 to September 29, 2024, in 28 states across 128 local government areas nationwide.
The centre also recorded 172 deaths with a Case Fatality Rate of 16.9 per cent.
This is according to the Lassa fever situation report obtained from the NCDC on Friday.
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.
Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well.
“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures,” the global health body stated.
The report read partly, “In week 39, the number of new confirmed cases increased from four in epidemiology week 38, 2024 to nine. These were reported in Ondo and Edo States.
“Cumulatively from week one to 39, 2024, 172 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 16.9 per cent which is marginally higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (16.8%).
“In total for 2024, 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 128 LGAs.”
It noted that 68 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while 32 per cent were reported from 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
“Of the 68 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 28 per cent, Edo 23 per cent, and Bauchi 17 per cent. The predominant age group affected is 31-40 years (Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1. The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2023.
“No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 39. The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues coordinating the response activities at all levels,” the report added.
Punch
