Lassa Fever Kills 109 In 22 States
Lassa fever has killed about 109 people in 22 states of the federation, according to reports by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. NCDC
Lassa fever has killed about 109 people in 22 states of the federation, according to reports by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. NCDCP.
This was disclosed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, while giving up date in its Lassa fever situation report, for week nine; from January to March 5, 2023.
According to the Center, the virus has continued to spread in Nigeria with 676 confirmed cases recorded across 89 local government areas in 22 states in the country.
The Centre reported that the death toll has risen to 109, up from the previous 104.
NCDC statistically explained that the current situation of death showed that the death ratio of the outbreak is at all time high with16.1 per cent.
NCDC stressed out that Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, have 72 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases while 28 per cent were reported from two states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
The Center expressed that out of the 72 per cent, established cases, Ondo State has the lion share of 33 per cent, Edo 29 per cent, and Bauchi 10 per cent.
World Health Organisation, described Lassa fever as an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.
According to the WHO, humans usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.
WHO stated that the disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.
Reports said 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.
It was reported that poor environmental sanitation, poor awareness, and late presentation of cases fuel the epidemic in Nigeria.
“In week 9, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 59 in week 8 2023 to 40 cases. These were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Ebonyi States.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 9, 2023, 109 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16.1 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (18.6 per cent).
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 10.8.
“The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022.
“One new Healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week nine,” the report read in part.
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