NCDC confirms 10 new Lassa fever cases as death toll hits 170

The number of Lassa fever deaths in Nigeria in 2022 has now reached 170.

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

The report shows that 10 new cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Nasarawa states from August 29 to September 4, and that one person succumbed to the disease during the reporting week.

According to the agency, from January to September 4, a total of 6,547 suspected cases were detected, of which 909 were confirmed to be positive.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 35, 2022, 170 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.7% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (22.7%),” the report reads.

“In total for 2022, 25 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 101 Local Government Areas.

“Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo (31%), Edo (26%), and Bauchi (13%) States.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 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

“No new Healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 35.”

Twelve states are yet to confirm a case of Lassa fever in 2022.

These states include Zamfara, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Yobe, Ekiti, Abia, Borno, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Ogun, and Kwara.