13 new Lassa fever cases from five states—Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi, and Imo—have been confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the past seven days.
According to the NCDC’s epidemiological study, which was made available to the NewsMen on Monday, since the year 2022, 70% of infections have originated in three states: Ondo (31%), Edo (26%), and Bauchi (13 per cent).
According to studies, the Lassa virus causes Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic sickness. People typically contract the Lassa virus by contact with food or household objects that have been exposed to the urine or feces of infected rats, which are prevalent in many West African nations where the disease is common.
Another way the virus could be transmitted is through bodily secretions.
According to the public health organization, 165 fatalities were reported nationwide in 17 states.
According to the organization, there were 13 new confirmed cases in week 31 (August 1–7), up from 10 in week 30 of 2022. States in Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi, and Imo reported these.
“Overall, 165 deaths have been reported from week one to week thirty-one in 2022, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8%, which is lower than the CFR for the same time in 2021. (23.1 per cent).
“Overall for 2022, 100 Local Government Areas in 25 States have reported at least one confirmed case.
“Of all confirmed instances, 31% of cases come from Ondo, 26% from Edo, and 13% from Bauchi states.”
According to the NCDC, the most afflicted age group was between the ages of 21 and 30 (with a range of 0 to 90 years, and a median age of 30 years).
The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was stated to be 1:0.8.
“Compared to what was reported for the same period in 2021, there are more suspicious instances.
In the reporting week 31, “no new healthcare worker affected,” it was said.
The National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG), according to the NCDC, has maintained coordination of the response efforts at all levels.
