- Alarming Spike in Fatality Rate as Four New States Report Infections
By National Record, With Agency Report
THE NIGERIA Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a grim update on the Lassa fever outbreak, revealing that 138 lives have been lost since January — a case fatality rate of 19.3%, higher than last year’s 18.0%.
According to the latest NCDC report, 717 confirmed cases have been recorded as of Epi Week 18, with Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Benue states reporting fresh infections just this week.
While new cases dipped slightly from 11 to 10 in the past week, the death toll remains a major concern.
Hotspots & High-Risk Groups
Three states — Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Taraba (16%) — account for 71% of all cases, highlighting persistent hotspots.
Young adults (21–30 years) are the most affected, with men slightly more vulnerable than women.
Healthcare Workers & Response Efforts
No new healthcare worker infections were recorded this week, though 22 have been affected this year. The NCDC has deployed 10 Rapid Response Teams, intensified contact tracing, and distributed critical supplies like PPEs and Ribavirin in collaboration with WHO, MSF, and other partners.
Challenges & Public Alert
Late hospital visits, poor health-seeking behaviour, and low awareness in high-burden areas are hindering containment.
The NCDC urges Nigerians to maintain hygiene, report symptoms early, avoid rodents and their secretions, and call 6232 (toll-free) for inquiries.
How Lassa Fever Spreads
The disease is transmitted through contact with infected rats’ urine/faeces; human-to-human via bodily fluids or contaminated objects.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.
