The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported seven new cases of Lassa fever from Edo, Bauchi, and Kogi states.
These cases were recorded between July 22 and July 28, 2024.
According to the NCDC, Edo accounted for four of these cases, Bauchi had two, and Kogi reported one.
Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded during this period.
In 2024, there have been 163 deaths attributed to Lassa fever, reflecting a slight decrease in the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) to 17.0% compared to 17.3% in 2023.
The majority of the confirmed cases this year were concentrated in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, which together represented 66% of the cases, while the remaining 34% were spread across 25 other states.
In total, Lassa fever has been reported in 28 states affecting 125 local government areas in 2024.
Challenges in managing Lassa fever include delays in case reporting, high treatment costs, poor sanitation, and inadequate community awareness.
Despite these hurdles, the NCDC said it is important for Nigerians to follow safety guidelines and seeking medical attention promptly.
Efforts to trace contacts and implement control measures are ongoing, with the National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Technical Working Group coordinating the response at all levels.
