The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says it recorded 5,669 suspected Lassa fever cases and 152 deaths with a Case Fatality Rate of 18.3 per cent.
According to the Lassa fever situation report that the NCDC published on its website on Monday, this is the case.
From January to April 14, 2024, 832 suspected cases from 27 states and 126 Local Government Areas were confirmed, according to the NCDC.
The Lassa virus, which belongs to the arenavirus family of viruses, is the cause of Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, according to the World Health Organization.
The Lassa virus typically infects humans when they come into contact with food or household items tainted by the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. A portion of West Africa’s rodent population is endemic for the disease.
Though it is likely present in other West African nations as well, Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria.
“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures.
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“Diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. The overall case-fatality rate is one per cent. Among patients who are hospitalised with severe clinical presentation of Lassa fever, case fatality is estimated at around 15%. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.
“About 80 per cent of people who become infected with the Lassa virus have no symptoms. 1 in 5 infections result in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys,” WHO said.
The NCDC reported that in week 15, there were 15 new confirmed cases, up from 11 in week 14, 2024; these cases were reported in the states of Bauchi, Edo, and Ondo.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to 15, 2024, 152 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 18.3 per cent which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.3 per cent).
“In total for 2024, 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 126 LGAs.
“Sixty-five (65 per cent) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 35 per cent were reported from 24 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 65 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 25 per cent, Edo 23 per cent, and Bauchi 17 per cent,” it said.
According to the National Public Health Institute, the majority of affected individuals are between the ages of 31 and 40 (range: 1 to 98 years, median age: 32 years), and the confirmed cases have a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.
According to the figures, there were more suspected cases than there had been during the same period in 2023.
The report also revealed that 32 healthcare professionals have contracted the virus to date.
To coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Center, the agency said, the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated.
