•23 States Record At Least One Confirmed Case
By Olawale Lamina, Features Editor
The resurgence of Lassa fever pandemic in Nigeria is currently generating a public health concern, just as the number of confirmed cases has risen from 933 earlier reported by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to 937.
Death toll from the pandemic now stands at 173 people.
The NCDC reports, made available to journalists, indicate that Lassa fever cases were recorded in 26 states and 104 Local Government Areas, according to Situation Report for week 40. According to the NCDC data on the spread of the disease in some states of Nigeria, (based on confirmed cases), Ondo State ranks highest with 33 per cent, followed by Edo State, 25 percent, while Bauchi recorded 13 per cent prevalence.
A statement by the NCDC reads in part: “Cumulatively from week one to week 40, 2022, 173 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (23.1 per cent). In total for 2022, 26 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 104 Local Government Areas.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8. The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.
No new Healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 40.” The NCDC said as part of its counter measures to curtail the spread, the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group will continue to spearhead the response activities at all levels.
It would be recalled that in the past cases the NCDC cautioned Nigerians to improve on their hygiene and keep a clean environment Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever and an acute viral illness.
This zoonotic disease has a high morbidity and mortality rate, as well as economic, health and security implications.
