NCDC reports 38 new Lassa fever cases, fatality toll rises to 142

The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC) says the country has recorded 784 confirmed cases of Lassa fever with 142 deaths.

The NCDC in its latest Lassa fever situation report said the cases were recorded from January 1 to March 19.

The agency said in the reporting week of March 14 to 19, 38 new cases were reported from Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Benue, Rivers, Plateau, and Nasarawa states. Out of these cases, 14 resulted in fatalities.

“Cumulatively, from week 1 to week 11, 2023, 142 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.1% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (18.7%),” the report reads.

“In total, for 2023, 23 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 97 Local Government Areas.

“Seventy-one (71%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 29% were reported from six states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 71% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 32%, Edo 29%, and Bauchi 10%.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 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.

“One new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 11.”

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus.

Person-to-person transmission of Lassa fever can occur through contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus and other body fluids of an infected person.

Lassa fever initially presents like other commonplace illnesses accompanied by fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain and sore throat.