NCDC records 6,704 Lassa fever cases, 162 deaths in 23 weeks

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 6,704 suspected Lassa fever cases and 162 deaths across 125 Local Government Areas in 28 states.

The NCDC confirmed said 911 cases from the suspected cases from January to June 9, 2024.

The agency disclosed the figures in its Lassa fever situation report on its website on Friday.

According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.

Humans usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.

The NCDC revealed that the case fatality rate (17.8 per cent) is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.1 per cent).

“In total for 2024, 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 Local Government Areas.

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