Nigeria records 68 new cases, 15 deaths in one week

At Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 68 additional Lassa fever infections and 15 deaths in the 6th week of 2023, from February 6 to 12.

The NCDC in its latest situation report published Monday on its website showed that new cases brought the number of confirmed cases and deaths recorded in 2023 to 531 and 85 respectively.

It is noted that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 106 in the fifth week of 2023 to 68 cases, which were reported from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau states.

Cumulatively, the NCDC noted that from week one to week six, 2023, total deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 16 percent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2022 (16.5 percent).

Also, in total by 2023, 20 states have recorded at least one confirmed case in 79 Local Government Areas, with the trio of Ondo, Edo and Bauchi topping the chart with 74 percent.

Ondo State reported 36 percent, while Edo and Bauchi reported 31 and seven percent respectively.

Also Read: Lassa Fever: Edo records 10 new cases, three more deaths

The NCDC noted that four new health workers were infected in the sixth week, adding that the number of suspected cases has increased compared to those reported in the same period in 2022.

Lassa fever

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

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 openings of the body that cannot be stopped. explained.