Nigeria records seven deaths, 105 infections in two weeks

Nigeria has confirmed 105 Lassa fever infections and recorded seven deaths in the second week of 2022.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) reported in the latest situation report published on its website on Tuesday, which indicated that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 30 to 77 in the second week of 2023.

The report showed that the confirmed cases in the second week, between January 9 and 15, were reported from Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Oyo and Nasarawa states.

Overall, the NCDC noted that seven deaths were recorded from the first week to the second week with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 7.8 percent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (11.5 percent).

According to the NCDC, the triad of Ondo, Edo and Bauchi States accounted for 84% of Lassa fever cases.

Edo State contributed 39 percent, while Ondo and Bauchi states contributed 37 percent and eight percent respectively.

The NCDC also noted that there were no new health workers during the reporting week, adding that the number of suspected cases has decreased compared to what was reported in the same period in 2022.

Lassa Fever

Lassa fever is an acute hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) viral disease that is transmitted to humans by infected rodents or infected people through contact with contaminated food or household items.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, chest pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.