The report, issued yesterday, highlights the severity of the outbreak, stating: "In total for 2023, 28 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 local government areas." Out of 7,352 suspected cases reported during this period, 1,068 have been confirmed cases of Lassa fever.

The majority of confirmed cases, approximately 75%, have been reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while the remaining 25% are spread across 25 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. The report indicates an increase in the number of suspected cases compared to the same period in 2022.

Lassa fever, first identified in Lassa town in Borno State, Nigeria, in 1969, is a viral hemorrhagic fever endemic in Nigeria and other West African countries, including Ghana, Benin Republic, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone.

The NCDC emphasizes that the disease is primarily transmitted to humans through the blood, urine, or excreta of multimammate rats. Additionally, human-to-human transmission is common among close contacts of confirmed cases, such as household members and healthcare workers.

While the majority of Lassa virus infections (approximately 80%) are either asymptomatic or mild, the remaining 20% can manifest as a febrile illness of variable severity, sometimes associated with multiple organ dysfunctions, with or without hemorrhage. In severe cases, the infection can lead to death.

The NCDC reports that the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is actively coordinating response activities at all levels to contain the outbreak.

Health authorities continue to emphasize preventive measures, awareness campaigns, and coordinated efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever and mitigate its impact on public health. (ILKHA)