The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,018 cases of Lassa fever across the country between January 1 and September 29, 2024.
The cases, spread across 28 states and 128 local government areas, emerged from 8,411 suspected cases.
According to the NCDC, the disease has claimed 172 lives, representing a Case Fatality Rate of 16.9%.
These figures were disclosed in the NCDC’s latest Lassa fever situation report, released on Friday. The CFR for 2024 is slightly higher than the 16.8% recorded during the same period in 2023.
The World Health Organization explains that Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats.
The virus is endemic in several West African nations, including Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
The report noted an increase in cases in the most recent epidemiological week. “In week 39, the number of new confirmed cases rose from four in week 38 to nine, with cases reported in Ondo and Edo states.”
Cumulatively, from week one to week 39, Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states accounted for 68% of the confirmed cases. “Ondo reported 28%, Edo 23%, and Bauchi 17% of all confirmed cases,” the report stated.
The NCDC also highlighted that the most affected age group is between 31 to 40 years, with an equal number of male and female cases.
The agency reassured the public that response efforts are ongoing. “The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate response activities at all levels,” the report added.
No new cases among healthcare workers were reported in the latest week.
