The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has disclosed that the country recorded 857 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever in first quarter of 2024. The agency also stated that 156 deaths were across 28 States of the Federation from January to 28 April.
According to reports from NCDC, stated that cumulatively from week 1 to 17, the fatalities were recorded with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.2 per cent. Which is higher than 17.0 per cent recorded in the same period in 2023.
The report for week 17 spanning from 22-28 April, also noted an increase in the number of confirmed cases. This is from 11 in week 16 to 14 in the reporting week.
The report maintained that 63 per cent of all the confirmed cases in 2024 were from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi States. While 37 per cent were reported from 25 States.
The report added that the number of suspected cases in 2024 (5963) increased when compared to that which was reported in the same period in 2023 (5084).
NCDC, however, stated that no health worker was affected in the reporting week. The agency added that the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever is 21-30 years.
NCDC added that the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated. This, it said will help to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
NCDC also enumerated some of the challenges faced in its fight against Lassa fever across the country. The agency listed, late presentation of the cases leading to an increase in CFR, and poor health-seeking behaviour. It stated that this is due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management.
Other challenges it pointed at, are poor environmental sanitation conditions, and poor awareness reportedly observed in high-burden communities.
source: Premium Times
