By Asmau Ahmad
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said a total of 164 people have so far died of Lassa fever in Nigeria in the first seven month of 2022.
The latest Lassa fever situation report for week 29, obtained from the NCDC on Friday, showed that there are 857 confirmed cases of the disease in the country.
The confirmed cases are said to be distributed across 24 states and 99 local government areas in the country. The report also noted that 54 healthcare workers had been infected with the disease.
The NCDC also confirmed a total of 5,890 suspected cases in 2022.
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, and it has both economic and health security implications.
A breakdown indicated that of all confirmed cases, Ondo has (30%); Edo, (26%); and Bauchi (14%) states.
The report read in part, “In week 29, the number of new confirmed cases increased from5 in week28, 2022to10 cases. These were reported from Edo and Ondo States.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 29, 2022, 164 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.1% which is lower than the CFR for the sameperiodin2021 (23.7%).
“In total for 2022, 24 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 99 Local Government Areas.
“Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo (30%), Edo (26%), and Bauchi (14%) States.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, MedianAge:30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8
“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021
“One new Healthcare worker was affected in Ondo State.”
A former chairman of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Tunji Akintade, called for continued advocacy and sensitisation of communities in the country.
“There is a need to strengthen the surveillance system for early detection, isolation, and confirmation of cases. People must also learn to maintain good environmental and personal hygiene to discourage rodents from entering homes and having access to foodstuff,” Akintade said.
