Nigeria has seen a significant rise in deaths from Lassa fever this year, with a reported 200 fatalities so far in 2023. Despite the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the disease, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 1,170 confirmed cases across 114 local government areas in 28 states.
According to the latest Lassa fever situation report released by the NCDC on Saturday, the country has experienced a total of 8,542 suspected cases, resulting in a current case-fatality rate of 17.1%.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC has been actively distributing medical response commodities to states and treatment centers, enhancing surveillance, and raising community awareness to control the spread of the disease.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a spike in Lassa fever cases in Nigeria, with 877 confirmed cases, 4702 suspected cases, and 5 probable cases by mid-April. The majority of the confirmed cases (72%) were concentrated in three states: Ondo (32%), Edo (29%), and Bauchi (11%).
To combat the outbreak, the NCDC has activated Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Ondo, and Taraba. These teams are administering antiviral drugs to confirmed cases, providing supportive care, and conducting contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated food or household items infected with the urine or feces of Mastomys rats. Symptoms of the disease, which resemble those of malaria, typically appear between one and three weeks after exposure and include fever, fatigue, weakness, and headaches.
The WHO has assessed the overall regional and global risk of Lassa fever as low, as the primary mode of transmission is zoonotic, and human-to-human transmission rates are relatively low.
As Nigeria continues to battle this epidemic, it remains crucial for individuals to practice good hygiene, maintain a clean environment, and avoid contact with rodents. Public awareness and early detection are key in mitigating the spread of the virus and reducing the number of fatalities.
In conclusion, Nigeria has witnessed a concerning increase in deaths from Lassa fever, with 200 fatalities reported so far in 2023. The NCDC, in collaboration with the WHO, is implementing various measures to control the spread of the disease, including medical distribution, surveillance, and community awareness campaigns. It is essential for Nigerians to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent further infections.
