The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has documented a total of 1,968 cases of Lassa fever across 112 local government areas in 28 states of the country.

This information was disclosed in the NCDC’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 37 (September 11-17, 2023), published on its official website.

According to the report, Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states accounted for 75% of the reported cases. Currently, there are 7,352 individuals with suspected cases of Lassa fever. Tragically, the infection has resulted in the loss of at least 181 lives in Nigeria.

The case-fatality ratio for Lassa fever stands at 16.9%. From the beginning of the year until Week 37, a total of 181 deaths have been reported, with a lower case fatality rate compared to the same period in 2022 (19.1%).

Lassa fever has been confirmed in 28 states across 112 local government areas in Nigeria. Among the confirmed cases, 75% were reported in Ondo (35%), Edo (29%), and Bauchi (11%) states. The age group most affected by the disease is 21-30 years, with a range of 1 to 93 years and a median age of 32 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is approximately 1:0.9.

Furthermore, the report highlighted that 49 healthcare workers have been infected with Lassa fever in 2023. To prevent the disease, the NCDC advises avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, practicing good personal hygiene, and taking precautions when caring for infected individuals.