The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 68 new Lassa fever infections and 15 deaths in the sixth week of 2023, which ran from February 6 to February 12.
According to the NCDC’s latest situation report, which was published on Monday on its website, the new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases and deaths recorded in 2023 to 531 and 85, respectively.
It was noted that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 106 in week five of 2023 to 68 cases reported from the states of Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau.
NCDC reported that from week one to week six of 2023, total deaths were reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16%, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022. (16.5 percent).
It went on to say that for 2023, 20 states had at least one confirmed case across 79 Local Government Areas, with the trio of Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi topping the list with 74%.
Ondo State accounted for 36%, while Edo and Bauchi accounted for 31% and 7%, respectively.
The NCDC reported that four new healthcare workers were infected during reporting week six and that the number of suspected cases has increased since the same period in 2022.
Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness spread to humans through contact with contaminated food or household items from infected rodents or contaminated people.
Fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain, and, in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings are among its symptoms.
