The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that Nigera records 12 new confirmed cases and one death from Lassa Fever across three states of the federation in one week between 29 April and 5 May. This was disclosed in NCDC’s recent situation report published on its website.
The report states that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 14 in week 17 to 12, adding that one health worker was affected in the reporting week, with Edo, Ondo and Bauchi states being most affected states.
The report further revealed that people between the ages of 31 to 40, are predominantly affected by the disease.
The report stated that 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 124 local government areas in 2024..
It added that the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).
NCDC, in the report, highlighted that late presentation of cases leading to an increase in CFR, and poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of the disease have been their highest challenges in the fight against Lassa fever.
Other challenges are poor environmental sanitation conditions, and poor awareness observed in high-burden communities communities.
Lassa Fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
