NCDC: 434 Lassa fever cases, 80 deaths recorded in 2021

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 434 cases of Lassa fever have been recorded in Nigeria in 2021.

The states affected include Edo (192), Ondo (150), Taraba (21), Ebonyi (17), Bauchi (15), Benue (8), Plateau (8), Kaduna (7), Enugu (5), Nasarawa (3), Kogi (3), Cross River (1),  Imo (1), Anambra (1), Delta (1), and Abia (1).

According to the NCDC’s recent Lassa fever situation report, at least 80 persons were also confirmed to have died of the disease this year.

“Of all confirmed cases, 84% are from Edo (44%), Ondo (35%) and Taraba (5%) States,” the report reads.

“The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (Range: <1to70years, Median Age:29years). The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

“The number of suspected cases has decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2020.”

On Tuesday, the NCDC announced that a pregnant woman and a doctor died of Lassa fever in Nasarawa state.

It said another medical doctor linked to the index case was also confirmed to have Lassa fever and is currently receiving medical care in the FCT.

The agency said following the confirmation of Lassa fever cases in Nasarawa state and the FCT, it has intensified the activities of the national multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary Lassa fever Technical Working Group (TWG) for Lassa fever surveillance and response in the country.

It added that the Lassa fever emergency operation centres have also been activated by the affected state and the FCT.