Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Public health authorities in Nigeria have confirmed that the death toll from the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak has now reached 127. This figure reflects the latest report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Wednesday reported a total of 674 confirmed cases out of 4,025 suspected cases since the outbreak began in January.
Young adults aged 21 to 30 are particularly vulnerable, with the median age of infection noted at 30 years. The agency also highlighted a concerning trend, stating that “more males than females have been affected,” with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
The disease has affected 18 out of the country’s 36 states, with the southern states of Ondo and Edo, along with the northern state of Bauchi, being the most severely impacted. Together, these regions account for over 70 percent of the confirmed cases.
The NCDC has indicated a case of fatality rate of 18.8 percent, which is slightly higher than the 18.5 percent reported during the same period last year.
The challenges in combating the outbreak include poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs in certain areas, and limited awareness in high-burden communities.
In light of the escalating situation, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral incident management system to coordinate response efforts across the nation.
Lassa fever primarily spreads through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces, and human transmission can occur through direct contact with infected materials.
The NCDC reported that in 2024 alone, the country has seen 214 deaths attributed to this viral hemorrhagic disease, emphasizing the urgent need for effective intervention and awareness campaigns.
