Lassa Fever Kills 59 In Six Weeks, Seven New Cases Recorded

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, on Wednesday, announced the infection of additional seven health workers with the Lassa fever, bringing the total number of health workers infected to 27.

The centre also stated that no fewer than 59 deaths had been reported since the beginning of the year.

The NCDC had announced that an emergency outbreak response had been activated for the Lassa fever outbreak.

The NCDC, in its report, which was released on Wednesday, stated that the number of suspected cases was now 1,631, which was higher than the cumulative figure of 704 for 2021.

The report stated, “From week 1 to week 6 of 2022, a total of 59 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 16.5 per cent. In total for 2022, 19 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 65 local government areas of the nation. Of all the confirmed cases, 73 per cent are from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.

“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to what was reported for the same period in 2021. Seven health workers affected in week 6 are from Bauchi, Ondo and Edo states.”

The centre noted that 378 persons were undergoing treatment in centres, while 820 persons were undergoing contact tracing. It also noted that 700 persons completed the follow-up of 46 asymptomatic contacts.

The NCDC, however, noted that “Lassa fever assessment had been carried out for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and confirmed cases were being treated in identified treatment centres, while the seven Lassa fever molecular laboratories were also working in full capacity.”