By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Liberia has reported a higher Case Fatality Rate (CFR) among confirmed Lassa fever cases this year to date compared to the previous five years, according to the World Health Organization.

Image/Robert Herriman

Between 1 January and 18 July 2021, a total of 71 suspected cases were reported, of which 13 (18.3%) were confirmed, and 9 deaths among confirmed cases (CFR: 69%).

The confirmed cases originated from four counties; namely Bong (3), Grand Bassa (4), Montserrado (1) and Nimba (5).

The Ministry of Health and its partners should develop and implement strategies to strengthen all pillars of the response to the Lassa fever outbreak, including surveillance, communication, and case management.

Liberia is one of the West African countries where Lassa fever is endemic along with Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Nigeria.

Confirmed cases of Lassa fever have previously been reported in Liberia for more than five years. Between 2016 and 2020, a total of 168 confirmed cases including 70 deaths were reported (case fatality rate 42.0%) in 7 out of the 15 counties in Liberia. During the same period, the number of cases per year ranged from 14 in 2016 to 52 in 2020.

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