The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria in 2022 was 189, according to the situation report from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control.
The report obtained by our correspondent on Saturday also showed confirmed cases last year now at 1,067 in 112 local government areas and 27 states.
The report for week 52, from December 26 to January 1, 2023, showed that the suspected cases were 8,202.
It also revealed that 63 health workers were infected with the disease.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.
According to the World Health Organization, Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria, but it probably exists in other West African countries as well.
The report said in part: “In week 52, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 17 in week 51 of 2022 to 12 cases. These were reported from the states of Edo, Ebonyi and Benue.
“Cumulatively, from week 1 to week 52 of 2022, 189 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.7%, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (20.0%). .
“In total by 2022, 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case in 112 local government areas.
“Seventy-two percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported in these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi), while 23 percent were reported in 24 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 72 percent confirmed cases, Ondo state reported 33 percent, Edo 25 percent and Bauchi 14 percent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21 to 30 years (Range: 1 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 what was reported for the same period in 2021.
“No new healthcare workers were affected in week 52 of the report.
“The National Multi-Sectoral and Multi-Partner Technical Working Group on Lassa Fever continues to coordinate response activities at all levels.”
