Lassa Fever Cases Surge In Nigeria, Fatality Rate Declines

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a sharp increase in Lassa Fever cases in week 51 of 2023, although it noted a lower fatality rate compared to the same period the previous year.

The information was released on Sunday via NCDC’s official website in Abuja.

The centre indicated that in week 51 of 2023, the number of newly confirmed Lassa fever cases surged significantly from 10 in week 50 to 26 cases, with Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states accounting for 77 per cent of the new cases.

“These cases were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba and Plateau States.

“Cumulatively, from week 1 to week 51 of 2023, a total of 215 deaths have been reported, resulting in a case fatality rate of 17.5 per cent.

“This figure is slightly lower than the record for the same period in 2022, which was 17.9 per cent.

“Throughout the year 2023, Lassa fever cases were reported in 28 states across 121 Local Government Areas.

“The majority of confirmed cases, accounting for 77 per cent, were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi States.

“Specifically, Ondo State reported 35 per cent of the confirmed cases, Edo reported 28 per cent and Bauchi reported 14 per cent,” it stated.

The agency highlighted that the most affected age group by Lassa fever was 21-30 years, with cases ranging from 1 to 93 years.

“It said that the median age of confirmed cases was 32 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1 and 0.9,” it stated.

It further noted that two healthcare workers were affected in week 51.

To address the situation, multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (PHEOC) have been activated at the national level and in the affected states.

Challenges faced in combating Lassa fever include the late presentation of cases, leading to an increase in the case fatality rate.

“Poor health-seeking behaviour is also observed due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of the disease.

“Poor environmental sanitation conditions and low awareness are also observed in high-burden communities,” it stated.

The report was based on case-based data retrieved from the National Lassa fever Emergency Operations Center.

The statement identified symptoms of the disease, including fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, myalgia, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding/haemorrhage (NAN).