The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports seven new cases of Lassa fever in Edo, Bauchi, and Kogi states. The NCDC announced this on its official website on Friday, noting that the seven instances were reported between July 22 and July 28.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) infection that spreads to humans by contact with food or household objects contaminated by infected rodents or people.
Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, weakness throughout the body, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and, in extreme cases, inexplicable bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other bodily openings.
According to the NCDC, Edo reported four instances, Bauchi two, and Kogi one, with no deaths documented during the time under review. It stated that 163 deaths were reported in 2024, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 17.0%, which was lower than the 17.3% recorded during the same period in 2023.
According to the public health office, 66% of confirmed cases in 2024 were from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, with 34% reported from 25 states. “In total for 2024, 28 states recorded at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever across 125 local government areas,” the report adds.
The agency identified several problems in the fight against Lassa fever, including late presentation of cases, which leads to an increase in CFR, poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high expense of treatment, and clinical management of the disease. Other issues include poor environmental sanitation conditions in high-burden communities, as well as a lack of community knowledge.
The centre stated that persons aged 31 to 40 were the most affected during the reporting period, but stressed that no health workers were infected. It stated that the surge showed the growing worry and the need for increased surveillance and preventive actions throughout the country.
The public health service asked the public to follow established safety practices and immediately report any symptoms to local health authorities. The NCDC said it was also stepping up efforts to track down contacts and apply control measures to slow the spread of the disease.
The organisation said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and collaborate with state health agencies to ensure a coordinated response. “The National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) will also continue to coordinate responses at all levels,” according to the statement.(NAN)
