Edo, Bauchi, Ondo top list as NCDC reports 48 Lassa fever cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 48 new cases of Lassa fever in the country.

This brings the total number of cases recorded in 2022 to 96.

The agency, in its epidemiological report for January 10 to January 16, said the cases were recorded in 11 states across 20 LGAs, with Edo, Bauchi and Ondo, accounting for 74 percent of the total number of cases.

Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic disease, is transmitted to humans through contact with food, household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.

The report said six persons were killed by the disease, raising the number of fatalities in 2022 to 11.

“In week two, the number of new confirmed cases is same as reported in week one, 2022 with 48 cases. These were reported from Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Oyo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States,” the report reads.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 2, 2022, 11 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 11.5% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (17.4%).

“In total for 2022, 11 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 27 Local Government Areas.

“Of all confirmed cases, 74% are from Edo (31%) Bauchi (22%) and Ondo (21%) States.

“The predominant age-group affected is 21-40 years (Range: 3 to 72 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021

“Three new Healthcare worker affected from Edo State in the reporting week two.”

Meanwhile, the federal government says it has strengthened activities on environmental health and sanitation response to the Lassa fever outbreak in the country.