Nigeria records 832 Lassa fever cases, 152 fatalities – NCDC

Lara Adejoro

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 5,669 suspected cases of Lassa fever and 152 deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 18.3 per cent.

According to the Lassa fever situation report posted by the NCDC on its website on Monday, 832 cases were confirmed from suspected cases from 27 states across 126 Local Government Areas from January to April 14, 2024.

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.

The WHO noted that 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.

Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well.

“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures.

“Diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. The overall case-fatality rate is one per cent. Among patients who are hospitalized with severe clinical presentation of Lassa fever, the case fatality is estimated at around 15%. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.

“About 80 per cent of people who become infected with the Lassa virus have no symptoms. 1 in 5 infections result in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys,” WHO stated.

In its report, the NCDC noted that in week 15, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 11 in week 14, 2024 to 15, and these were reported in Bauchi, Edo, and Ondo States.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to 15, 2024, 152 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 18.3 per cent which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.3 per cent).

“In total for 2024, 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 126 LGAs.

“Sixty-five (65 per cent) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 35 per cent were reported from 24 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 65 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 25 per cent, Edo 23 per cent, and Bauchi 17 per cent,” it stated.

The National Public Health Institute revealed that the predominant age group affected is 31 to 40 years (Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32 years), and the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.

The figures indicated that the number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2023.

The report also showed that 32 healthcare workers have been infected with the virus so far.

The NCDC, however, said 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.