Lassa fever has killed 214 people in Nigeria this year, with health authorities warning that the disease’s fatality rate has risen sharply compared with the same period last year.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report that the case fatality rate has increased to 25%, up from 18.9% recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The agency said the outbreak has now spread to 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas across the country.
According to the report, new confirmed infections recorded during Epidemiological Week 23 remained unchanged from the previous week, with cases reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states.
“The outbreak has spread across 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas,” the NCDC said.
Health officials noted that although no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week, the rising death rate remains a major concern.
The agency said suspected and confirmed cases have both increased compared with the same period last year, indicating sustained transmission in several parts of the country.
Five states account for the majority of infections nationwide.
“Ondo leads with 28 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 15 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent, and Benue with six per cent,” the report stated.
The NCDC added that the remaining 16% of confirmed cases were recorded in 18 other states.
Young adults continue to bear the greatest burden of the disease. The agency said people aged between 21 and 30 years account for the highest number of infections, although cases have been reported among patients aged between one and 93 years.
“The predominant age group is 21–30 years, with cases ranging from one to 93 years and a median age of 30 years,” the report said.
To strengthen the response, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System remains activated and is coordinating interventions at federal, state and local government levels.
Despite the absence of new infections among healthcare workers during Week 23, the NCDC warned that the rising fatality rate and the expanding geographical spread of the disease suggest that transmission remains ongoing.
Surveillance, case management and response activities are continuing across the affected states, the agency added.
