Babatunji Wusu –
1,068 Lassa fever infections have been reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in 112 local government areas throughout 28 states of the federation.
This was stated by the NCDC on Tuesday in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 37 (Sept. 11–17, 2023) published on its official website.
According to the center, Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi States were home to 75% of the cases.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Lassa virus is to blame for the viral hemorrhagic fever known as Lassa fever. Specifically in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria in West Africa, it is most prevalent.
Contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents, notably the multimammate rat, can lead to the virus being spread to people.
The sickness has already claimed at least 181 lives in the nation, and the NCDC reports that there are currently 7,352 people with suspected cases.
The center reported that the infection’s case-fatality ratio was 16.9%.
“In total, 181 deaths have been reported between Week 1 and Week 37 of 2023, with a case fatality rate of 16.9%, which is lower than the CFR for the same time period in 2022 (19.1%).
“As of 2023, 112 local government areas in 28 states have at least one confirmed case.
“These three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) accounted for 75% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases, while the remaining 25% were reported from the other 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
“Of the 75% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35%, Edo reported 29%, and Bauchi reported 11%.
The majority of those impacted are between the ages of 21 and 30 (range: 1 to 93 years, median age: 32 years).
“For confirmed cases, the male-to-female ratio is 1:0.9. In comparison to the data recorded for the same period in 2022, more suspected instances were reported, it stated.
It is sad that 49 healthcare personnel around the nation contracted Lassa fever in 2023.
The National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre, according to the agency, has been activated to coordinate the response efforts at all scales.
Lassa fever can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, maintaining good personal cleanliness, and following safety measures when caring for affected people, the article continued.
According to the NCDC, controlling the illness and averting complications depend heavily on early diagnosis and fast medical attention.
