Nigeria Confirms 8 New Lassa Fever Cases Across 4 States

Strategic Insights -

Nigeria has been grappling with a persistent outbreak of Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted through contact with contaminated food, household items, or infected rodents. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported eight new cases across four states between June 24 and 30, with no fatalities or affected health workers. This brings the total confirmed cases to 928, with 162 deaths and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.5 percent, lower than the CFR for the same period in 2023. The NCDC has highlighted challenges in the fight against Lassa fever, including late case presentations, poor health-seeking behavior, and environmental sanitation conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nigeria has confirmed 928 Lassa fever cases between week one and 26, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.5 percent.
  • The CFR for the same period in 2023 was 19.5 percent, indicating a decline in mortality.
  • 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 local government areas in 2024.
  • The majority of cases (66 percent) were reported in three states: Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi.
  • People between the ages of 31-40 years are predominantly affected by the disease.
  • The National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate response activities.
  • Challenges in the fight against Lassa fever include late case presentations, poor health-seeking behavior, and environmental sanitation conditions.
  • The NCDC has observed poor awareness and high cost of treatment as contributing factors to the disease's spread.

Statistics:

  • 928 confirmed Lassa fever cases reported in Nigeria between week one and 26.
  • 162 deaths recorded, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.5 percent.
  • 66 percent of confirmed cases were reported in three states: Ondo (22 percent), Edo (26 percent), and Bauchi (18 percent).
  • 34 percent of confirmed cases were reported in 25 other states.
  • 125 local government areas have reported at least one confirmed case.
  • The disease predominantly affects people between the ages of 31-40 years.

Sources:

  • Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Situation Report for week 26 of 2024.