Nigeria Reports New Lassa Fever Cases

In the period of one week, from February 26 to March 3, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported new Lassa virus cases, along with 20 deaths across 16 states.

The NCDC saw an increase in confirmed cases during the ninth week of 2024. The previous week recorded 96 cases.

Lassa fever is transmitted to humans via contact with contaminated food or objects, usually from infected rodents or individuals. It is a serious viral illness and symptoms might be as little as a fever, headache, and sore throat, or as severe as bleeding from various body areas.

Nigeria continues to struggle with new cases and deaths despite significant efforts, demonstrating the persistent threat that Lassa fever poses.

The nation reported 109 cases in total within one week.

Many states, including Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Benue, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kaduna, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Adamawa, Anambra, Rivers, Ogun, and Oyo, have been affected by the outbreak.

According to the report, the majority of affected people are between the ages of 31 and 40, and a somewhat higher frequency in men than in women, with 62% of confirmed cases originating from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi while the remaining 38% spread across 24 states.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will oversee a comprehensive response at all levels in coordination with the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral event management system, which has been launched in response to the epidemic.

The National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral incident management system has been activated to coordinate a comprehensive response at all levels through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Melissa Enoch

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