In week 1 to week 52 of 2022, no less than 189 deaths caused by Lassa fever were recorded out of 1,067 confirmed cases in 112 Local Government Areas in 27 states of the Federation.
The Lassa fever Situation Report for Epi Week 52: 26 December 2022 – 1 January 2023, released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, showed that there were 8,202 suspected cases, even as 63 healthcare workers were among the victims.
The Report also noted that the number of reported deaths with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.7percent was lower than the CFR for the sameperiod in 2021 (20.0 percent).
According to the NCDC, the number of suspected cases increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021. In other words, Nigeria recorded more suspected Lassa fever cases towards the end of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. “In total for 2022, 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 LGAs, and 72 percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi) while 23 percent were reported from 24 states withconfirmedLassa fever cases.
The Agency pointed out that of the 72 percent of confirmed cases, Ondo State reported33 percent, Edo 25 percent, and Bauchi 14 percent.
It said that the predominant age group affected is 21-30 years, while the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8
In week 52, the Agency noted that number of new confirmed cases decreased from 17 in week51, 2022, to 12 cases. These were reported from Edo, Ebonyi and Benue States.
According to the Agency, no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 52.
The Agency said that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group(TWG)continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels.
About 100,000 to 300,000 infections of Lassa fever occur annually, with about 5,000 deaths.
Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been used with success in Lassa fever patients. It has been shown to be most effective when given early in the course of the illness.
