Since the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria began in Dec. 2016, a total of 914 suspected cases and 121 deaths have been reported, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
As of last week, the outbreak is still active in 5 states (Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Plateau and Bauchi). Two new confirmed cases were reported from Edo (1) and Ondo (1) States last week.
In the current Lassa Fever outbreak, nineteen (19) States (Ogun, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kaduna, Gombe, Cross-River, Borno, Kano, Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos and Kwara) have reported at least one confirmed case.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever illness that is known to be endemic in various West African countries including Nigeria and causes outbreaks almost every year in different parts of the region, with yearly peaks observed between December and June.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever illness. Lassa fever is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur.
Related:
- Madagascar: The number of new cases of pneumonic plague has steadily declined since mid-October
- HPV testing is better than the Pap test at detecting cervical cancer
- Lisbon Legionella outbreak claims 5th life
- Nigeria yellow fever update: 15 confirmed cases since September
- Leptospirosis reported in Trinidad and Tobago, MOH advises public on reducing risk
One thought on “Lassa fever in Nigeria: Outbreak is active in 5 states”