Lassa Fever: 103 Killed, 586 Confirmed Cases In 16 States

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control says that 103 persons have died from the Lassa Fever epidemic in 16 states.

The Centre also stated that 586 persons have been confirmed to have contracted the virus.

The deaths recorded so far are said to be from 16 states which include Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, Enugu, Abia, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Sokoto and Katsina.

The report, released yesterday in Abuja, says Edo has the highest burden of confirmed cases at 35 per cent, followed by Ondo at 32 per cent, and Ebonyi at six per cent.

In total for this year, 26 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 101 local government areas.

The report says: “Cumulatively from week one to week 07, 2020, 103 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.6 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 (21.1 per cent).

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (range: <1 to 78 years, median age: 33 years). The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.2.

“The number of suspected cases has significantly increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2019.”

The report adds that two new healthcare workers were affected in Bauchi and Katsina states in reporting week 07.

Recall that the Lagos State Government also confirmed a case of the viral disease in the state yesterday.

The Patient who is said to be from Ebonyi state is being treated in an isolation ward at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

The State’s Ministry of Health also said the confirmed index had contact with 63 people since his arrival in Lagos from Ebonyi.

Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof.  Akin Abayomi said the patient had contact with people at the Nigerian Law School, the Nigerian Air Force Clinic and LUTH.

“They are all being monitored. If they develop any symptom of Lassa fever, we will pick them up early and isolate them so that we can break the circle of transmission,” he said.