Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria: Key Trends and Statistics

Nigeria has recorded 1,025 confirmed cases and 174 deaths of Lassa fever across 28 states of the federation from January to 6 October. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that the case fatality rate (CFR) remains at 17.0 per cent, the same as in the same period in 2023. The number of confirmed cases has decreased from 9 in week 39 to 7 in the reporting week.

Key Takeaways:

• The cumulative number of confirmed cases and deaths from January to 6 October is 1,025 and 174, respectively.
• The case fatality rate (CFR) remains at 17.0 per cent, the same as in the same period in 2023.
• The number of confirmed cases decreased from 9 in week 39 to 7 in the reporting week.
• 68 per cent of all confirmed cases in 2024 were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, while 32 per cent were reported in 25 other states.
• The number of suspected cases in 2024 increased to 8,484, compared to 7,621 in the same period in 2023.
• No health worker was affected in the reporting week, and the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever is 21-30 years.
• The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels.
• Challenges in the fight against Lassa fever include late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, and poor environmental sanitation conditions.

Statistics:

• 1,025 confirmed cases of Lassa fever reported from January to 6 October.
• 174 deaths recorded from Lassa fever in the same period.
• Case fatality rate of 17.0 per cent, the same as in the same period in 2023.
• 68 per cent of confirmed cases reported in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states.
• 32 per cent of confirmed cases reported in 25 other states.
• 8,484 suspected cases reported in 2024, an increase from 7,621 in the same period in 2023.

Sources:

• Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
• Premium Times
• AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)