NCDC reports 77 Lassa fever cases, six deaths in one week

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 77 new cases of Lassa fever and six deaths have been recorded in the country.

The agency in its latest Lassa fever situation report said the cases were reported from January 9 to January 15 in nine states.

The states are Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Oyo, and Nasarawa.

In total, 105 cases and seven deaths have been recorded in 2023.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 2, 2023,  seven deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 7.8 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (11.5%),” the report reads.

“In total for 2023, 10 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 30 Local Government Areas.

“Eighty-four (84%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 16 per cent were reported from seven states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

“Of the 84% of confirmed cases, Edo State reported 39 per cent, Ondo 37 per cent, and Bauchi 8 per cent

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 79 years, Median Age: 31 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.7.

“The number of suspected cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022.

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

The agency added that the national Lassa fever multi-partner and multi-sectoral technical working group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels.