Connect with us

Africa

Lassa fever kills 72 in Nigeria

Published

on

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said Nigeria recorded 411 confirmed cases and 72 deaths from Lassa fever across 21 states of the federation from week one to week six of 2024.

The NCDC in its latest situation report for week six spanning 5 to 11 February, revealed that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 70 in week 5 to 83, with nine deaths in the reporting week.

According to the situation report, 65 per cent of all the confirmed cases were from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi while 35 per cent were reported from 17 states.

The report noted that the number of suspected cases in 2024 (2,122) decreased when compared to that reported for the same period in 2023 (8280).

According to the disease control centre, the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever is 21-30 years, and two new health workers were affected in the reporting week.

NCDC added that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

The agency also enumerated some of the challenges in its fight against Lassa fever across the country, listing; late presentation of the cases leading to an increase in CFR, and poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management.

Other challenges are poor environmental sanitation conditions and poor awareness reportedly observed in high-burden communities.

About Lassa fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.

See also  Sowore released after brief detention at Lagos Airport

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.


For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from DDM TV

Latest Updates

Pope Francis criticizes Trump’s deportation policies as a humanitarian crisis

EFCC arraigns man for rejecting Naira as legal tender

Akwa Ibom House of Assembly unveils Governor’s Commissioners, Special Advisers’ nominees

Late Wigwe’s daughter honours parents, brother lost in tragic helicopter crash

MTN Nigeria implements 200% data tariff hike amid economic challenges

Daniel Bwala defends his decision to serve in Tinubu’s government amidst backlash

Rights group condemns “state-sponsored religious persecution” in Anambra

Modibbo reveals Atiku’s political strategy: A web of strategic alliances and unseen moves

Atiku’s aide criticizes Tinubu’s government over economic hardships

Igboayaka: Nwifuru masterminded his abduction — OYC

Subscribe to DDM Newsletter for Latest News

Get Notifications from DDM News Yes please No thanks