Latest epidemiological report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has shown that 151 persons died of Lassa fever between January and April 9 2023.
The report further showed that since the beginning of the year, 869 confirmed cases were recorded from 26 states and 101 Local Government Areas (LGAs), while 71 per cent of all confirmed cases were reported from three states – Ondo (32 per cent), Edo (28 per cent), and Bauchi (11 per cent).
The report, obtained by The Nation, showed that between April 3 and 9, 2023, 23 confirmed cases were reported from six states – Ondo (30), Edo (31), Bauchi (18), Taraba (28), Enugu (2), and Lagos (2), with three deaths from Bauchi (1) and Taraba (2).
The report said: “Cumulatively, from week 1 to week 14 of 2023, 151 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.4 per cent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (19.3 per cent).
“In total for 2023, 26 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 101 local government areas. The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 93 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.9.
“The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2022. No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14. National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”