Lassa fever: 85 killed in six weeks as cases rise to 531

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 531 cases of Lassa fever and 85 deaths have been recorded in 2023.

The agency disclosed this in its recent Lassa fever situation report.

According to the report, between February 6 and February 12, new Lassa fever cases recorded in nine states and 24 LGAs were 68.

The states are Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau.

The NCDC said the new cases bring the total number recorded in the first six weeks of 2023 to 531.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 6, 2023, 85 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16.0% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (16.5%),” the report reads.

“In total for 2023, 20 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 79 Local Government Areas.

“Seventy-four (74%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 26% were reported from 6 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 74% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 36%, Edo 31%, and Bauchi 7%.

“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 6.”