Death toll from Lassa fever rises to 57

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the Lassa fever outbreak in the country has claimed 57 lives.

In its latest weekly situation report released on Friday covering January 28 to February 03, the agency said at least 275 cases have been recorded in 19 states.

According to the report, since the beginning of the year, 19 states: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Oyo, have recorded at least one confirmed case across 51 local government areas.

Having declared an outbreak of Lassa fever in January, the agency said in its fifth week report that 68 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo (20), Ondo (22), Ebonyi (7), Bauchi (4), Plateau (4), Nasarawa (1), Taraba (3), Benue (1), Kaduna (1), Kwara (1), Oyo (2), Delta (1), and Rivers (1), while 14 new deaths were reported in nine states.

The report also indicated that four healthcare workers in Edo state were affected by the virus.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the agency, said a national rapid response team has been deployed to some states to curb the outbreak.

The director-general added that a total of 2791 contacts have been identified in nine states.

“Of these 2,080 (74.5%) are currently being followed up, and 647 (23.2%) have completed 21 days follow up. 23(0.8.1%) symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 13 (0.4%) have tested positive,” Ihekweazu said.