Lassa fever: Death toll hits 86 as cases spread to 21 states
The Nigeria Centre for Disease control (NCDC) said, more than 86 people have died of Lassa fever within the first seven weeks of 2022,
According to the latest situation report released by the (NCDC), on Friday gives the situations report, which spanning from February 14 to 20, 2022, shows that the number of confirmed cases increased from 77 in week six, 2022, to 91 cases in week seven, 2022. The total confirmed cases so far this year is now 450.
The confirmed cases were reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi, Taraba, Enugu, Benue, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Delta states.
“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 7, 2022, 86 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.1 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (27.5 per cent).”
“In total for 2022, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 74 Local Government Areas.”
“Of all confirmed cases, 73 per cent are from Ondo (32 percent), Edo (23 percent), and Bauchi (18 percent) states.”
“The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 80 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8,” the report showed.”
The number of suspected cases so far is now 1995.
NCDC also noted that two healthcare workers were affected from Ondo and Bauchi states in the reporting week seven and the cumulative number of healthcare workers that have been affected so far in 2022 is now 30.
PHW
