NCDC reports 90 cases of Lassa fever in one week

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 90 new cases of Lassa fever have been recorded in the country.

According to the agency’s latest situation report for February 21 to February 27, the new cases were recorded in 12 states with Ondo, Edo and Bauchi accounting for a majority of the cases.

The new figure brings the total number cases recorded in 2022 to 540.

The NCDC data also showed that in the reporting week, 12 people were confirmed to have died of the disease, bringing the total number of deaths to 98.

“In week 8, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 91 in week 7, 2022 to 90 cases. These were reported from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Gombe, Kogi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Enugu, Oyo, Benue, Plateau States and the FCT,” the report reads.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 8, 2022, 98 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.1% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (22.8%)

“In total for 2022, 21 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 79 Local Government Areas.

“Of all confirmed cases, 73% are from Ondo (32%), Edo (24%) and Bauchi (17%) States.

“The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 80 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.

“Five (5) new Healthcare workers affected from Bauchi State in the reporting week 8.

“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Coordination Centre (EOC) activated to coordinate response activities at all levels.”