Lassa fever: NCDC reports 6,704 cases, 162 deaths in 28 states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Friday reported 6,704 suspected Lassa fever cases and 162 deaths across 125 local government areas in 28 states.

The NCDC, in its Lassa fever situation report posted on its website, confirmed 911 cases from these suspected cases between January and June 9, 2024.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. Humans typically become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.

The NCDC revealed that the case fatality rate (17.8%) is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.1%).

It said, “In total for 2024, 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 Local Government Areas.”

Sixty-five per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from three states: Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi. Of the 65% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 25%, Edo 22%, and Bauchi 18%. The remaining 35% were reported from 25 other states with confirmed cases.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1,” the report added.

So far, 33 healthcare workers have been infected with the virus in the country.

Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria but may exist in other West African countries as well.

WHO said, “Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures.

“Diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential. The overall case-fatality rate is one per cent. Among patients who are hospitalised with severe clinical presentation of Lassa fever, case fatality is estimated at around 15 per cent. Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.

“About 80 per cent of people who become infected with the Lassa virus have no symptoms. One in five infections result in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys.”