Nigeria: 72 Killed in Lassa Fever Outbreak

February 23, 2024 Hour: 4:24 pm

On Thursday, public health authorities said that at least 72 fatal cases of Lassa fever have been reported in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, since the beginning of this year.

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The 72 deaths were among a total of 411 cases confirmed so far from the outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever recorded across 21 states since January, said the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in its latest report.

Sixty-five percent of the total confirmed cases were reported from the three states of Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while 35 percent were reported from 18 other states, the NCDC said.

NCDC Records 2,122 Lassa Fever Cases in 21 States The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 2,122 suspected cases of Lassa fever outbreaks in 21 states in Nigeria. In a Lassa Fever… https://t.co/LzKrEUOdAd #9janews #tv360nigeria #deji360 pic.twitter.com/UCg6U46GGm

— TV360 (@tv360nigeria)
February 23, 2024

A total of 2,122 cases have been recorded so far this year, marking a significant decrease from 8,280 suspected cases recorded in the same period in 2023, said the national disease control agency.

Two health workers have been so far affected by the Lassa fever outbreak in the country, with the predominant age group of victims being 21 years and 30 years of age, the NCDC said in its report.

The Lassa virus is carried by a type of rat called “multimmamate rat” and these rats are very common in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa.

Lassa fever was first discovered in Nigeria when two missionary nurses became ill in a village called “Lassa”.

Be very careful of RATS!!! pic.twitter.com/tULbei5F2W

— Health Simplex (@HealthSimplex)
February 23, 2024

Lassa fever is a disease spread to humans through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. It is reportedly transmitted when saliva, urine, and excreta of rats come into contact with humans.

In 2023, at least 219 deaths were recorded from 1,227 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, according to the NCDC.