Lassa Fever: NCDC Reports 1,018 Cases, 172 Fatalities

Nigeria Records 1,018 Lassa Fever Cases, 172 Deaths in 

“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of...”

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reports 1,018 Lassa fever cases and 172 deaths across 128 Local Government Areas from January to September. 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a significant outbreak of Lassa fever in the country, with 1,018 confirmed cases out of 8,411 suspected cases from January 1 to September 29, 2024. These cases were spread across 28 states and 128 local government areas nationwide. Unfortunately, the outbreak has claimed 172 lives, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 16.9%.

Lassa fever is a severe viral illness caused by the Lassa virus, which belongs to the arenavirus family. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this disease is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission can occur, but it's relatively rare. The symptoms of Lassa fever vary widely, and diagnosis can be challenging without laboratory testing.

Statistics:

• Confirmed Cases: 1,018
• Suspected Cases: 8,411
• Deaths: 172
• Case Fatality Rate: 16.9%
• Affected States: 28
• Local Government Areas: 128

Understanding Lassa Fever:

• Transmission: Contact with contaminated food, household items, or infected rodents 
• Symptoms: Vary widely, often asymptomatic or mild 
• Diagnosis: Laboratory testing required 
• Treatment: Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment critical 

The Lassa virus spreads to humans mainly through contaminated food and household items infected with the urine or feces of Mastomys rats. West Africa's rodent population harbors the disease, making it endemic in countries like Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria.

Bullet Points:

• Transmission: Contact with contaminated food, household items, or infected rodent waste
• Endemic Countries: Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, Nigeria
• Regional Presence: Likely exists in other West African countries
• Vector: Mastomys rats

“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures,” the global health body stated.

The report read partly, “In week 39, the number of new confirmed cases increased from four in epidemiology week 38, 2024 to nine. These were reported in Ondo and Edo States.

“Cumulatively from week one to 39, 2024, 172 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 16.9 per cent which is marginally higher than the CFR for the same period in 2023.

“In total for 2024, 28 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 128 Local Government Area (LGAs).”

About 68% of Nigeria's confirmed Lassa fever cases came from just three states: Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while the remaining 32% were scattered across 25 other states. To break it down further, Ondo accounted for 26% of the cases, Edo 25%, and Bauchi 23%. This concentration of cases in specific regions highlights the importance of targeted interventions to combat the spread of Lassa fever.

“Of the 68 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 28 per cent, Edo 23 per cent, and Bauchi 17 per cent.

“The predominant age group affected is 31-40 years Range, 1 to 98 years, Median Age, 32 years.

“The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1. The number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2023.

“No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 39.

“The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues coordinating the response activities at all levels,” the report added.