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LAGOS, Nigeria – At least 80 deaths have been reported across 11 states in Nigeria amid the latest outbreak of Lassa fever, public health authorities confirmed.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced on Sunday that 413 confirmed cases have been recorded since the outbreak began in January. The case fatality rate has been reported at 19.4 percent, with three states accounting for 73 percent of the total confirmed cases. The southwestern state of Ondo remains the worst-hit, contributing 34 percent of the total infections.
The outbreak has spread to 63 of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, predominantly affecting individuals aged 21 to 30. The male-to-female ratio among affected individuals stands at 1:0.8, according to the NCDC.
Authorities have identified key challenges in containing the outbreak, including poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs in some areas, and limited awareness in high-burden communities. To mitigate the crisis, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral incident management system to coordinate nationwide response efforts.
“The interventions also involve training healthcare workers in Lassa fever case management, enhanced surveillance, and contact tracing in affected states. Additionally, there will be distribution of response commodities such as personal protective equipment, Ribavirin, thermometers, and body bags, along with community sensitization and risk communication campaigns in hotspot areas,” the agency stated.
In 2024, Nigeria reported 214 deaths from Lassa fever, underscoring the persistent threat the disease poses.
Lassa fever is primarily spread through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Human transmission can also occur through direct contact with rat saliva, urine, or excrement.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Readers are encouraged to follow public health guidelines and consult healthcare professionals for further information.
