Nigeria has confirmed eight new cases of Lassa fever across four states in one week, spanning 24 to 30 June.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) disclosed this information in its latest situation report for week 26 of 2024, published on its website.
According to the report, there were no fatalities recorded during this period, and no health workers were affected by the disease.
Cumulatively, the report shows that from week one to 26, Nigeria has recorded 928 confirmed cases and 162 deaths with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (19.9 per cent).
The NCDC’s report highlights the ongoing surveillance and response efforts against Lassa fever, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and public health measures to contain the spread of the disease in affected areas.
Situation breakdown
A breakdown of the report indicates that 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 LGAs in 2024.
It also shows that 66 per cent of all the confirmed cases were recorded from three states: Ondo, Edo and Bauchi, while 34 per cent were from 25 other states.
Of the 66 per cent confirmed cases, Edo accounted for 26 per cent, Ondo 22 per cent, and Bauchi, 18 per cent.
The report noted that people between the age range of 21-30 years are predominantly affected by the disease.
It added that the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues coordinating the response activities at all levels.
About Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the Mastomys natalensis rodent (commonly known as the multimammate rat or the African rat).
Other rodents can also be carriers of the virus.
Lassa fever initially presents like other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria.
Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease is three to 21 days, but early diagnosis and treatment of the disease greatly increase the chances of patient survival.
Lassa fever remains a major public health challenge as poor environmental sanitation, poor awareness, and late presentation of cases fuel the epidemic in Nigeria.