The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says 162 Nigerians have died from Lassa fever, since the beginning of the year 2022.
The agency also stated that the number of new confirmed cases reduced from 13 in week 27, to five cases.
The NCDC disclosed this in its weekly situation report on the outbreak of the disease in the country.
Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat. It is endemic in parts of West Africa and has a high morbidity and mortality rate and economic and health security implications.
Data from the latest situation report for week 28, which covered July 11 to 17, 2022, revealed that there are 5,756 suspected cases of the infection across 99 Local Government Areas in 24 states.
“In week 28, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 13 in week 27, 2022 to 5 cases. These were reported from Edo and Ondo States.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 28, 2022, 162 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.1 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (23.3 per cent)
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“In total for 2022, 24 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 99 Local Government Areas.
“Of all confirmed cases, 69 per cent are from Ondo (30 per cent), Edo (25 per cent), and Bauchi (14 per cent) States.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.”
The report further noted that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week.
“National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels,” the NCDC said.
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