AIT
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns over a sharp increase in Lassa fever cases and fatalities in the last four weeks, signaling a severe outbreak.
During a news briefing held in Abuja on Monday, the Director-General of NCDC disclosed that one thousand, one hundred and fifty-four confirmed cases, and one hundred and ninety-seven deaths have been recorded.
Six states Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Benue, and Ebonyi account for 89% of these cases, highlighting the outbreak’s concentration in specific regions.
The agency also reported a persistently high case fatality rate of over 13%, coupled with a rise in suspected cases compared to the same period in 2023.
The Director-General noted that these trends require an urgent, coordinated response to protect vulnerable populations, reduce transmission, and prevent further fatalities.
Lassa fever, a viral disease primarily transmitted through contact with rodent excreta, remains endemic in Nigeria.
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