Lassa fever: 636 cases recorded so far in 2023 as death toll rises to 104

There have been 104 deaths due to Lassa fever across Nigeria in 2023.

This is according to the latest Lassa fever situation report published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The report says from February 20 to February 26, fifty-nine new cases of Lassa fever were recorded in 10 states.

The states are Benue, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Ebonyi, Kano, Jigawa, FCT, and Kogi.

According to the NCDC, from January to February 26, a total of 2,978 suspected cases were recorded of which 636 were confirmed.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 8, 2023, 104 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16.4% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (18.1%),” the report reads.

“In total for 2023, 22 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 88 Local Government Areas.

“Seventy (70%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 30% were reported from 7 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 70% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 33%, Edo 28%, and Taraba 9%.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 31 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9.

“The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022. Four new Healthcare workers were affected in the reporting week 8.”